Collection Highlights
Badge of the Society of the Cincinnati
Date:
ca. 1802
Object Number:
1972.12ab
Medium:
Silk, gold, enamel
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword w/scabbard: eagle on pommel
Object Number:
1946.207ab
Date:
ca. 1865
Medium:
Steel, brass, fish skin; steel, brass
Dimensions:
Overall: 38 3/4 x 4 3/4 x 2 1/4 in. ( 98.4 x 12.1 x 5.7 cm )
Marks:
etched: on obverse of blade: "HORSTMANN / PHILADELPHIA" and "U.S."
stamped: on reverse of blade: "GERMANY" and shield-shaped maker's mark with gothic initial at center
Description:
Sword with straight, double-edged blade with etched scroll decoration surrounding "U. S." on obverse and similar decoration surrounding eagle with spread wings on reverse; blade is diamond-shaped in cross section; counter-guard consisting of two shell-shaped pieces, a fixed one decorated with an eagle, and a hinged shell with crossed arms with superimposed shield at center; grip covered in fish skin and wrapped with wire; brass pommel shaped like a section of an inverted cone and bearing a blank shield on the obverse side and an eagle on the reverse; matte-surfaced steel scabbard with brass mounts, including two carrying rings and drag.
Gallery Label:
W. H. Horstmann, who was primarily a retailer, imported completed swords and blades from Europe. The firm apparently did some hilting and possibly made scabbards as well.
Credit Line:
Gift of the Estate of Col. J. Mayhew Wainwright
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
