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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3
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OP
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3 |
I just got in a US Naval sword marked with what I assume is the distributor B. Pasquale, San Francisco. An excellent ++ piece with its red felt bag and deteriorating belt. It is believed to be circa WWI.
I compared it to my model by distributor Semon Embroidery, San Francisco, and found that while the outside fittings are almost identical, the blade etches are absolutely identical. I located little reference to Semon Embroidery but they were listed in the SF business directory from 1920 to 1924.
I was wondering who made the swords. In particular the blades.
Also, can someone date the belt for me. There are no markings on any of the leather or metal except a 34. The fittings are heavy brass, gold plated.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3
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OP
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3 |
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,155 Likes: 5
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,155 Likes: 5 |
Jim,
I think you are on the mark with these being circa WWI vintage. B. Pasquale Co. operated under that particular name from 1879-1950 per Bezdek. Bezdek does not list Semon Embroidery, so probably a local tailor selling uniforms and supplies. You may be able to find him in the SF business directory to nail down his dates of operation. I suspect both swords came from the same maker since Pasquale was a distributor and not a maker. The blades may have been etched locally and if so they were probably done by Pasquale IMHO.
"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3
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OP
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3 |
Thank you. I was able to find Semon's in the business directories from 1920 to 1924. there may be more but that is all that popped up.
Really interesting that the distributor may have been involved in the actual construction of the swords.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 151
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 151 |
I believe the rule of thumb is before 1941 the eagle faces to viewers right and after to the left.
Last edited by BAMA; 05/20/2015 04:31 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3
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OP
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3 |
Hi Bama.
Are you referring to the belt buckle? hopefully.
I read that B Pasquale had some type of arrangement with Ames. Has anyone heard of this.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 151
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 151 |
The belt buckle but I'm thinking it might also be for the eagle on the sword pommel.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3
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OP
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,918 Likes: 3 |
Thank you for the clarification. I checked the pommels and both eagles are looking to my right.
Great verification.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 151
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 151 |
You’re welcome. As it is with just about everything in this hobby I must say there are always exceptions to the rule. I believe most naval items are standardized today but at least during the Civil War while the majority of U.S. Navy officer’s swords had eagles facing the viewer’s right some were to the left.
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