UBB.threads Forums General Militaria United States Militaria Civil War - Spanish American sword - ??

Bought from a estate. The person I bought it from ,said that they thought it was Spanish american war. It reminds me of the fraternal swords, but iam not sure, the wide spread eagle throws me.Light traces of engraving on the blade.No maker mark.
Anyone have an idea of what i have here and also the value??
thanks
Bob

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I see no regulation American sword that looks exacly as your. It is very similar to the 1834 Revenue cutter sword Ames made RCswords into the late 1800,s could be a similar model,the engraving should have a naval motif.

I never saw on like that either.

If there is FOE on it anywhere, that is the "Fraternal Order of Eagles" and in which case the crossguard would make sense.

I heard there is a book out now on the fraternal swords, but I haven't seen it yet.

whatever it is, it's cool!

Same here Bob:
While I agree this is some type of fraternal sword I've never seen this particular pattern either.
Jim

Zorro, I believe you are right. I have a Ames book and found one that is very similiar, except for the knightshead pommel. Maybe a variation!!
thanks
Bob

Howdy Bob
It is a 1832 US militia staff officers sword used through the American civil war. There are several variations of this sword. The scabbards from 1832 through 1860 were made primarily of metal. The knuckle guard is one or two chains that are usually broken or missing. It is a nice American civil war period sword.
Steve

Steve,

May I respectfully disagree.

You are correct in saying that there were in fact militia swords of the period that you stated and there being many variations to include chains from the handle to the cross guard however there are no regulation U.S. swords with elaborately and highly decorated scabbards as the sword in discussion not withstanding special order or presentation pieces.

Considering the above coupled together with the crude manufacture I lean toward 'fraternal or lodge' not any regulation U.S. pattern

In my opinion and again, respectfully,

John

Up till WW I swords were still considered weapons and therefore were built robust enough for actual field use. The light construction of this sword appears to preclude this type of use and my opinion remains that it is a fraternal sword.
Jim

Howdy John
The blade in question does not have any faternal designs of any kind and you are right it is a presentation grade militia staff officers sword with a sharkskin and wire wrapped handle ( most were bone and sometimes ivory handles ), civil war period. The fittings were normally gold or silver plated which is usually worn off by now as the plating was thin at best on most models.
If the blade was in hand it would be apparent that it is stout enough to fight with. This style was used to stab rather than slash.
I have owned and handeled many of these including ones dedicated to Confederate and Union Officers from estates with photo images of the officer wearing the blade where the provenance would not be in question. You will find them marked and unmarked. I did training at The Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and handeled many in the collection there that were named presentation swords several of them the exact same pattern. Enlisted models differ in the quality of the blade and usually have leather scabbards with metal fittings many were more suited for parade rather than battle as was much of the militia gear.
The manufacture of the scabbard is comparable to the majority of the presentation type of sword from the civil war and before. Presentation patterns were never regulation. As mentioned before I have handeled, owned and sold many of them to American civil war collectors.
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by John Pepera:
Steve,

May I respectfully disagree.

You are correct in saying that there were in fact militia swords of the period that you stated and there being many variations to include chains from the handle to the cross guard however there are no regulation U.S. swords with elaborately and highly decorated scabbards as the sword in discussion not withstanding special order or presentation pieces.

Considering the above coupled together with the crude manufacture I lean toward 'fraternal or lodge' not any regulation U.S. pattern

In my opinion and again, respectfully,

John

Thanks for all of your opinions. I appreciate it.
thanks
Bob

You owe each of us a beverage of our choice.
I like pinch bottle 20 year old Haig and Haig scotch.
Steve

No problem. I will be at the SOS show.Steve, do you have any idea of the value??
thanks
Bob

Bob
Honestly I do not know any more friend. I haven't kept track of American swords values.