Sunday, August 12, 2012

CLA Show 2011: Photos



Horseman Saber
Ca 1750-1780
(second from left)

The outstanding basket hilt on this early sword was possibly copied from a Scottish broadsword and has a one piece brass hilt and pommel. The broken blade was repaired with a wrap of this sheet brass.

Blade 31”   Basket Hilt   Brass Grip


Horseman Saber
Ca 1773-1783
(second from right)

Swords with an attribution to an owner are rare, so this sword with a history of being carried by Samuel Burnham of Arundle, Maine are scarce. The blade was probably rehilted from an English broadsword. Accompanying the sword was a powder horn dated 1759.

Blade 31”   Semi-Basket Hilt   Wood Grip



American Hanger
Ca 1775-1783

The hanger is a short sword used by the infantry for close combat. As the Revolutionary War progressed and the availability of bayonets for muskets increased, the need for short swords diminished. American hangers varied in blade length from 25 to 28 inches as opposed to horseman sabers that had blades from 32 to 37 inches in length.

Blade 26”   Brass Hilt   Bone Grip

Horseman Saber
Ca 1770-1780
(bottom)

The decorative quillon on the four slotted hilt of this sword, plus the large pommel appear similar to other new England militia swords.

Blade 33”   D-Guard Hilt   Grip Wood


Horseman Saber
Ca 1760-1780
(top)

This attractive sword is attributed to General Philip Schuyler. The heart shaped cut-outs on the D-guard were popular decorative designs and with a brass ball pommel and a wire wrapped wooden grip create a handsome saber.

Blade 33”   D-Guard Hilt   Wood Grip



Horseman Saber
Ca 1770-1785
(bottom)

Several swords of this pattern are known, one of which was attributed to General Israel Putnam. This lion-head sword was discovered in a attack of a house in Rockport, Mass. and still had its leather scabbard with the brass throat and tip in tact.

Blade 33”   Semi-Basket  Hilt   Wood Grip


Horseman Saber
Ca 1770-1785
(top)

A large mushroom-shaped pommel and a wooden grip with brass strips on the raised spiral ridges contribute to the impressive appearance of this sword. The hilt is completed with a heavy six slotted brass guard.

Blade 34”   D-Guard Hilt   Wood Grip



Horseman Saber
Ca 1775-1783
(bottom)

This lion-headed sword came out of an attic in Maine. It is a heavy sword because the knuckle-bow and counter-guard are made of thick brass and the blade is large. The D-guard has  the popular four slots.

Blade 33”   D-Guard Hilt   Wood Grip


Horseman Saber
Ca 1773-1783
(top)

The bone grip with the spiral grooves and the large round brass pommel create an attractive appearance for this sword. The four slotted counter-guard and the blade are in very good condition.

Blade 33”   D-Guard Hilt   Bone Grip




Horseman Saber
Ca 1775-1783
(bottom)

The picture on the cover of Warren Moore’s book illustrates a horseman of Lee’s Light Horse Troops carrying an identical sword. It has a partial wheel knuckle bow design and a grip spirally wrapped with wire.

Blade 30”   Wagon Wheel Hilt   Wood Grip


Horseman Saber
Ca 1773-1783
(top)

The imported blade is stamped with the Date 1774 on both sides and some added foreign markings. The stirrup guard was a popular hilt pattern with four slots cut into the counter-guard.

Blade 29”   Stirrup Hilt   Wood Grip








Horseman Saber
Ca 1775-1785
(bottom)

The very simple construction of this sword results in a homemade look. The stirrup shaped hilt has one cut-out on the counter guard. A long narrow, straight blade without fullers could be blacksmith made.

Blade 33”   Stirrup Hilt   Bone Grip

Horseman Saber
Ca 1775-1785
(top)

Strictly a utilitarian sword, this example is crudely made. The brass stirrup hilt has one large cut-out, with a poorly fitting backstrap and a leather covered wooden grip. The original blade was broken and a different style blade with a single fuller has been welded on.

Blade 34”   Stirrup Hilt   Wood Grip




Horseman Saber
Ca 1775-1785

Swords of this design were often marked by maker "SNOW". but this is an unmarked example. The tapered wood grip is spirally wrapped with wire. Often used were common triple fullered blades, which were thought to be French imports.

Blade 32”   Stirrup Hilt   Wood Grip


American Short Shaber
Ca 1773-1783


The short saber was carried by officers as their fighting weapon. This light sword usually had blades from 28 to 32 inches long. The short saber was longer than the infantry hanger, but shorter than blades used on horseman sabers that varied from 32 to 37 inches in length.

Blade 29”   Brass Hilt   Wood Grip

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