Collection Highlights
"A Visit from St. Nicholas"
Date:
1862
Object Number:
MSS.BV.Moore.1
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword w/scabbard: military ornamentation
Object Number:
1928.40ab
Date:
1770-1820
Medium:
Steel, leather, enamel, gilding, brass; steel
Dimensions:
Overall: 37 1/2 x 6 x 1 in. ( 95.2 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm )
Marks:
etched: on obverse of blade near hilt: "H. & R. Boker"
etched: on reverse of blade near hilt: "Pennscheid"
Description:
Sword with curved, single-edged steel blade with a broad fuller extending from hilt to within about 8 inches of point; blade is decorated over more than half its length on either side with etched designs on a ground of blue enamel and gilding; steel stirrup hilt with reverse P-type knuckle-bow pierced with slot for sword knot, curved quillon with disk finial, and simple shield-shaped langets on obverse and reverse; leather-covered grip with ridges wrapped with braided brass wire; bird's head pommel with backstrap extending to ferrule at base of grip; steel scabbard with two carrying rings and rudimentary drag.
Gallery Label:
This sword is described in the accession records as a Hessian dragoon-type saber, an identification based on illustrations in Smithsonian Institution Bulletin No. 163 (plate 7). The following inscription (taken from envelope containing negative) is also recorded in the accession records: "captured at the Battle of White Plains, Oct. 28, 1776."
Credit Line:
Gift of William Gedney Beatty
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
