The Sword
Confederate States Naval Sword
Made by Boyle & Gamble, Richmond Virgina
For Mitchell & Tyler
Etched by William T. Ege
The above sword information is taken from notes provided with the sword.
War of 1812
George Croghan (November 15, 1791 – January 8, 1849) was an American soldier who was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.)
The top mount of this sword is monogrammed "GC", which can POSSIBLY be attributed to Colonel George Croghan. Right initials, right War of 1812 period, right grade of sword.
Career
After he graduated from William and Mary, Croghan joined the U.S. Army. He fought at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. He also served at Fort Meigs (modern Perrysburg, Ohio) with distinction. For his defense with a small garrison against a British attack during the Battle of Fort Stephenson, Ohio, in 1813 during the War of 1812, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He later led a troop that was defeated in the Battle of Mackinac Island. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
Following the war, Croghan resigned from the army during a reduction in force and was appointed as a postmaster in New Orleans. In 1825, he became one of the two inspector generals in the army. During the Mexican–American War Croghan fought as a colonel at Monterrey. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
High Grade Federal Period Artillery Officer's Sabre
Unique Clark & Rogers, New Orleans Eagle Head Sabre
Silver-Hilted, urn Pommel by J. Myers (1785-1804)
Pre-War of 1812
exceptional example of a high grade Ames made Model 1841 Naval Officer's sword
This example has rare reverse cast scabbard mounts with naval an oak embellishments. The example also exhibits a crossover marking with the blade marked Springfield and the scabbard marked Cabotville. Ames moved from Springfield to Cabottville in 1838. They moved from Cabotville to their Chicopee address in 1848. The blade is of exceptional condition given that many of these blades are not given their exposure to marine conditions. The etching is clean and detailed with frosting in tact. Note the ship undersail and the sailor with spyglass in the rigging. The blade is also adorned with fouled anchor, canon, military motifs and oak with vine. Stunning! The patriotic eagle with motto "E pluribus Unum" ("Out of many, one") is etched in on one side of the blade with "US Navy" on the other. These blades are also found on earlier non-regulation naval officer swords'. Great piece, love it!
exceedingly RARE & SOUGHT AFTER Ames Model 1840 ENGINEERS SWORD
The blade on this sword is almost in mint condition
War of 1812 - William Ball (1763-1815) Classic silver eagle pommel sword attributed to William Ball. Including one with the top of the fullers engraved with ornate gilded foliate scrollwork on both sides of the blade and are followed by a vignette flanked by more scrollwork at both ends. The center of the vignette features an arm holding a sword over a ribbon in which the words "FOR MY COUNTRY" are engraved. This sword is featured in Daniel Hartzler’s book American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords and The American Eagle Pommel by Andrew E. Mowbray.
War of 1812
Courtesy of findagrave.com
Revolutionay War
Freshly re-discovered Exceedingly Rare and Desirable Confederate Naval Inscribed, Ironclad decorated, Naval sword
James H. Dyke, CSN
"...this latter young gentleman not troubled with professional zeal, though his natural ability is excellent."
(Abstract Log copy of C.S.S Florida Ser I, Vol. II Pg. 673)
Appointed Acting Midshipman September 24, 1861
Appointed Midshipman Provisional Confederate Navy June 2nd, 1864
Richmond Station 1862
Drewery's Bluff 1862
C.S.S Patrick Henry 1861-1862
C.S.S Richmond 1862
Assigned Cruiser C.S.S Florida, Mobile, Alabama November 1, 1862 vice Midshipman, Walker detached.
Ran Blockade
Boarded and assigned to captured bark Lapwing March 28, 1863
Reassigned to C.S.S Florida on April 15, 1863
Left Brest France February 10, 1864 (SerI, Vol. II, Pg 681)
Onshore leave with Lt. Barron, Paymaster Taylor and Master's Mate King and 71 crew members when the C.C.S Florida was rammed by the U.S.S Wachusett under the command of Napoleon Collins and towed out of the harbor of Bahia, Brazil October 7, 1864
Left for London on the English mail steamer Linda on October 8, 1862 (Ser.I, Vol. II Pg. 635)
Assigned to C.S.S Rappahanock under Lt. Commander Faunleroy off Calai, France October 19, 1864.
Crew paid off October 19, 1864
James H. Dyke died September 5, 1869 at the age of 23. He is buried in the Old City Cemetary, Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.
Official Records: Union and Confederate Navies, War of the Rebellion 1863/1864-1864/1865 The Operations of the Cruisers - Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers 1863/1864
Description Courtesy of the Horse Soldier
This beautiful and historic sword was presented to Brevet Captain B.F. Harley by his "fellow citizens" of Philadelphia upon his return from service in Mexico and bears the city's coat of arms on silver plaque applied to the obverse shield-shaped langet, with Harley's name, rank and regiment on the reverse, and a beautiful, lengthy presentation on the scabbard.
The sword is a very high grade and relatively early work by Horstmann, stamped "W.H.HORSTMANN / & SONS / MAKERS" on the scabbard upper reverse. The gilt brass hilt and scabbard preserve better than 90 percent of their original gilt finish. The pommel is cast and chased with floral decoration, urn-shaped but reminiscent of a flower bulb in outline, something picked up in the foliate scabbard engraving. Set in the pommel cap is a large amethyst. The crossguard is cruciform, with flat, flaring quillons bearing an eagle with U.S. shield on its chest at either end on both sides. The kuckleguard consists of a woven chain of flat metal ribbons, from pommel cap to tip of one quillon, likely gilt originally, but with loss of finish from flexing. The grip is octagonal, silver, engraved on each face with floral scrolls, leaves and berries, along with patriotic and martial elements such as a U.S. shield and quiver. Shield-shaped langets extend from the quillon block on both sides. The obverse bears a separately applied silver plaque with the arms of the City of Philadelphia. The reverse langet is engraved, "Brevet Captn / Benjn. Franklin Harley / of the / 11th Infantry / USA" in beautiful script and block letters between flourishes. The silver grip and plaque have a matching, mellow, aged patina. The plaque has raised slightly at the upper edge, but is secure.
The scabbard is plain on the reverse and elaborately decorated on the obverse. Like the hilt, it has better than 90 percent of its gilt finish and is fitted with two carrying rings with the ring mounts cast and chased with an eight-pointed star in a wreath, flanked by split fans of leaves. The drag has a similar split fan at top and long leafy branch extending the tip. The blade of the drag is rendered as two sea serpents meeting face to face at bottom with open mouths, giving the distinct impression of smiles. The raised panels of the ring mounts and drag mark off two, long engraved panels on the scabbard body. The lower panel features a large eagle with stars and glory overhead, sitting on a U.S. shield. Below this extends a long grape vine sprouting leaves and clusters of grapes at five points. The same motif of grapevines, leaves, and grapes frames the beautiful engraved presentation in the upper panel: "Presented to BREVET CAPTn BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HARLEY of / Philadelphia by his fellow Citizens for the promptness shown in the offer of his services to / his Country and for his Gallant conduct in the Battles of Contreras, Churubusco, and / Particularly at Molino del Rey, at the capture of Chapultepec, the Garita San Cosme/ and the final capture of the City of Mexico / Philadelphia Oct. 26, 1848."
The blade is spadroon form, with central fuller and spearpoint. The edge and point are good. Both sides are etched. The etching is fully visible and legible, though soft from wiping down over the years. The obverse has an urn at bottom from which a leafy branch extends to a lengthwise cartouche with flamboyant ends containing a "U.S" surrounded by stars. The reverse has a similar foliate motif, but surmounted by an eagle with raised wings clutching arrows and olive branch, and holding in its beak a scrolling ribbon with a dry-point etched "E Pluribus Unum."
Benjamin Franklin Harley (ca.1815 to 1853) was a Philadelphia businessman and merchant. He jointly held an 1844 patent for a new method of casting iron hinges, and by 1845 is listed in the city directory with that as a specialty. He almost certainly was involved with the prewar militia: the Cadwalader Greys and 1st Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry attended his funeral in 1853 according to bills in his probate file. He received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant of infantry in the U.S. Army 2 March 1847 and was assigned to the 11th Infantry April 9. This was the third iteration of that regiment, this time as one of ten new regiments raised for one-year's service in the Mexican War and recruited in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The battle honors of the presentation are a record of his service. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant 12 August 1847 and is mentioned as one of two officers leading part of the regiment in pursuit of Mexican forces in the attack on a Mexican fort, the Casa Mata, in the Battle of Molino del Rey in September. He also received a brevet to captain to date 10 August 1847 for "gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco."
After the fighting ended, Harley remained with the army on occupation duty at Mexico City, posted in the nearby village of Lerma. As among the generals, there was conflict among lower ranking officers over credit for wartime deeds. Adjutant D.S. Lee of the 11th apparently authored an anonymous letter to a hometown paper claiming that he had caught up the mortally wounded Colonel of the regiment during the Battle of Molino del Rey, a rather bloody Pyrrhic victory. Harley, however, was recognized in the regiment as the officer beside the Colonel in the fighting, and although on the verge of leaving for home on a ninety-day leave, he denounced Lee as a liar, accepted Lee's challenge in response, and thus got to select the weapons: Mississippi rifles at thirty paces. These were apparently obtained from the "Regiment of Voltiguers and Foot Riflemen," one of whose officers, James J. Archer, later Confederate general, witnessed the duel on 3 May 1848 along the road between Lerma and Mexico City.
Lee chose two fellow Viriginians seconds. One was Thomas Jonathan Jackson, then serving as an artillery lieutenant. Jackson "won the word" by one account, meaning that he supervised the proceedings, and apparently laid out the rules in no uncertain terms, drilling the participants, like the "awkward squad." Archer recounted the duel in a letter just two days later: "They fought at sundown near Lerma, with Voltigeur rifles at thirty paces — standing with their rifles slanting downwards at an angle of 45 degrees, and firing between the words "fire, one two, three, stop " — neither hit — after the first fire Lee's friend Lt. Jackson of the Lt. Artillery expressed himself satisfied and the parties left the ground without, however, any apology or retraction from Harley, who was very anxious for another shot — This he had no right to ask, having gone out to give, not to receive satisfaction and, when a man says he is satisfied, you can not well insist that he is not satisfied enough, especially when satisfying him any more might injure his health."
Archer apparently understates Harley's anger at not resuming the fight: he added the label of "thief" to his accusation against Lee, on the ground that Lee had stolen his legitimate claim to "bravery and soldierly devotion" by one account. There was no follow-up, however: Harley was on his way back to the states by May 21, where he was to testify at a courtmartial and was honorably mustered out 13 August 1848.
Harley received the sword in October and may have married during this period as well. Information is sketchy, but his will mentions his wife, Catherine. He did not stay in Philadelphia long, however: by February 1849 the Gold Rush was on and he was advertising in the Philadelphia papers for members to join a company headed to the California. Prospecting may not have worked out, but by 1850 we find him as deputy sheriff in San Francisco, where he remained until late 1852. With vigilante and gang activity at the time, must have been a figure of some authority. He was licensed to own a "powder house," where residents were obliged to store any gunpowder in amounts over 25 pounds and he is once referred to as holding several hundred muskets for the militia. Harley returned to the east coast by the packet steamer "SS Illinois," docking in New York in January 1853, and died just a month later in Philadelphia, on February 11. Newspapers gave his age as 38. Other records say 37 years, 6 months. He left several properties in San Francisco to his wife and to his mother. He also left behind one impressive sword.
Rare William Ball Type II Marked Silver Eagle Head Sword
American Silver Smith William Faris Sr. (1728-1804)
Emmerson & Silver
Model 1860 Civil War Cavalry Officers Saber
This is a saber that has it all! This is the highest-grade cavalry officer saber that Emmerson and Silver made. The relief cast silver grip depicts a mounted cavalry officer with saber raised embedded in a hillside scene with mountain backdrop. The German silver scabbard is finely engraved and includes a stallion head embellishment. The scabbard mounts are open cast depictions of military motifs and galloping firing cavalry officer on horseback. The drag open, relief cast gilded drag exhibits an officer standing with American flag. The blade is superbly etched with a battle scene, caped soldier, military motifs, and motto "Where Liberty Dwells / There is my country". This is truly a rare and magnificent saber with not many circulating the private collector market. One does currently reside in the Smithsonian.
Colonel William Henry Jr.
1st New Jersey Regiment
Un-crested "Philadelphia Eagle"
War of 1812 - Born in 1763 William Ball began his own business in 1790. Many of his swords were marked and unmarked. The identifying traits are the uniquely designed eagle head pommels. Both identifying pommel designs can be found The American Eagle Pommel by Andrew E. Mowbray on Page 146 and 147.
Ex-Lattimer Collection - American Revolution Period
High Grade Federal Period Artillery Officer's Sabre
Congressional medal presented by Congress February 13, 1835. Obverse: Presented by Congress to Colonel George Croghan, 1835. Bust of Colonel Croghan Reverse: Pars Magna Fuit (His share was great.) Ft. Stephenson with three gunboats on Lake Erie in background
Civil War
War of 1812 American Silver Bird Head Sabre. Lady Liberty on beach with Eagle soaring overhead. Eagle standing on stand of arms on beach with English ship depicted & patriotic motifs. Tri-color, American embellished blade in English style with US of A on blade. This sword is featured in Daniel Hartzler’s book American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords Page 51 & 52.
Sword Presentation
The above photographs are displayed courtesy of The American Civil War Museum
High Grade Documented Presentation Grade Eagle Head
Civil War
William northey (1735-1804) Salem, Massachusetts
This sword I purchased from a gentleman in France. He claimed it was from an estate of the family of the person in the portrait who fought on the side of the Americans against the British during the revolutionary war. This sword is later than that period, but in fairness, could have belonged to him. It is blade dated earlier than the War of 1812 - Un-crested Silver Philadelphia eagle head sabre. These swords are not often marked with a maker's touche mark. It is speculated for fear of British reprisal. This is an exceptional model with surviving original scabbard. The German blade dated "1806" is further marked with a running animal of sorts. Examples of the un-crested eagles are found both in the Lattimer Collection and in Daniel Hartzler's books.
War of 1812 – High Grade Salter (Parrot Beaked) Eagle no later than 1810. Maker Clark & Rogers, New Orleans. Blade etched and decorated in the style similar to the British Lloyds of London 1805 presentation swords. This sword is featured in Daniel Hartzler’s book American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords Page 650-651. A similar Salter eagle head example by Clark & Rogers, New Orleans which was presented to Captain Samuel Price is located in the Tennessee State Museum (The American Eagle Pommel by Andrew E. Mowbray - Page 72). This is the finest blade of any eagle head sabre I have seen in my years of collecting.
War of 1812
"Presented to BREVET CAPTn BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HARLEY of / Philadelphia by his fellow Citizens for the promptness shown in the offer of his services to / his Country and for his Gallant conduct in the Battles of Contreras, Churubusco, and / Particularly at Molino del Rey, at the capture of Chapultepec, the Garita San Cosme/ and the final capture of the City of Mexico / Philadelphia Oct. 26, 1848."
Born November 15, 1791
Louisville, Kentucky
Died January 8, 1849 (aged 57)
New Orleans, Louisiana
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1811–1817, 1825–1849
Rank Colonel
Commands held Inspector General of the U. S. Army
Battles/wars War of 1812
Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Fort Stephenson
Battle of Mackinac Island
Mexican–American War
Battle of Monterrey
Spouse(s) Serena Eliza Livingston
Classic Documented William Ball War of 1812 period Sword
Silver-Hilted, Eagle Pommel Saber by William Ball Carried
Captain William Morrow (1766-1843)
War of 1812
Exceedingly Fine Non-Regulation naval officers sword
(Circa 1830-1840)
High Grade ames model 1841 naval officers sword
It is in your past that you discover who you are...
American Swords, LLC.
There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Baltimore 1763-1815
War of 1812
Truly, a seldom seen (maker identified), early silver hilted urn pommel saber. The grip has rare American signet inset to silver band encompassing a finely conditioned grip. The guard is twice marked with the silversmiths trademark "J Myers" which appears once on the guard below the silver quillion, and once beneath the blade on the guard. J Myers was active in Philadelphia between 1785 and 1804. The semi-circular pierced guard is embellished with a diamond shape. The blade exhibits character and use befitting it's age. Acid etched panels with trace gilding survives. Truly a fine piece from the War of 1812 period.
exceptional example of a high quality British made Diplomats sword
Mexican War
The above is a montage titled CSS Florida (1862-1864)
Caption: Montage of views of the ship and her officers, presented to "Oakleigh" Mobile (Alabama Historic Preservation Society), by Mrs. Clara Stone Fields, Circa 1963. Montage is now (7/1999) in Peery Southern Maritime Collection at South Carolina.
Officers Shown:
Charles W. Quinn, Chief Engineer W.D Hough
Thomas T. Hunter Jr. James L. Hook
S. Graham Stone Jr. Richard Taylor, Paymaster
R.S. Floyd George D. Bryan
George T. Sinclair Jr. James H Dyke
Samuel W. Averett Frederick Garrettson
John C. Lake Lionel Vogel
Joseph N. Barney
Quaker & Patriot in the Revolutionary War
exceptional example of a Non-Regulation Horstmann Naval Officer's sword
This example by Horstmann has a black sharkskin scabbard with gold gilded brass furniture mounts. The top mount has circle with thirteen stars symbolizing the 13 original colonies. The middle mount has the customary naval fouled anchor, while the drag is embellished with oak acorns and sprig. This example also exhibits a piped-back blade with etched spine in near mint condition. "United States Navy" is crisply etched on one side with an anchor framed in sunburst coupled with a detailed and starkly etched patriotic American eagle beneath banner inscribed with motto "E Pluribus Unum". The blade further depicts naval familiarity of trident and ship masts with rigging. The guard is handsomely adorned with inset eagle and fouled anchor with most of its fine gold gilding intact. Simply the finest specimen of this sword I have had the privilege of owning.
Exceedingly rare Salter "Parrot Beaked" Eagle Head Sabre Circa 1810
War of 1812
War of 1812
War of 1812
exceptional example of an AMES Model 1840 Engineer's sword
One of the rarest and most coveted of all American Army Swords. Gold gilded furniture with the grip comprised of two intertwined rattlesnakes give this sword a unique and recognizable characteristic. Note how the two snake heads culminate at the heel and pommel of the grip while the two tails compliment the guard. The guard is embellished with a reverse-cast castle, which is the engineers military insignia. The triangulated, rapier styled blade is acid etched with customary needle inscribed "E Pluribus Unum" over spread-winged American eagle. "US. Corp of Engineers." is reverse etched on blade along with N.P. Ames/ Cutler/ Springfield. Given the manner of manufacture marking this sword was produced between 1832-1847.
My Personal Collection
Some of the swords on this page are available for sale. Please contact me should you have an interest.
Magnificent War of 1812 Sabre
War of 1812
... Quality Takes Time to Find ...
The swords pictured on this page are some of the finest examples remaining in a private Collection.
Silver-Hilted, Eagle Pommel Saber by William Ball Carried in the Quasi-War and the War of 1812 by Captain William Morrow
Hilt consisting of a wide, slotted guard and knuckle-bow of silver, the latter engraved on the obverse with an intertwined ‘WM’ monogram or cipher, being the owner’s initials; the reverse stamped with the touchmark of its maker, noted Baltimore silversmith William Ball; the knuckle-bow terminates just below the beak of the silver, eagle-head pommel; the grip is composed of turned ivory with grooved channels, wrapped with twisted, silver wire. The short saber still retains its original leather scabbard with silver mounts, consisting of throat, middle band, and drag.
Captain William Morrow (1766-1843) of Pennsylvania began his military career as a sergeant in the 4th Sublegion of the United States, serving from August 1793 to August 1796, including fighting at the battle of Fallen Timbers. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the 10th Infantry Regiment on 3 March 1799 during the Quasi War with France. Promoted to 1st lieutenant on 9 October 1799, he was honorably discharged with the reduction of the Army to the Peacetime Establishment on 15 June 1800. It was likely that Morrow first purchased this sword while serving in the 10th Infantry, as the style of the sword would date it to the last decade of the 18th century. With the outbreak of the War of 1812, he received a commission as 1st lieutenant in the 22nd Infantry on 17 March 1812 and was promoted to captain on 1 September 1814. During the war, he and his regiment fought with great notice in the Niagara frontier campaigns of 1813-14, including signalizing himself in battle at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane in summer 1814. He was honorably discharged with the coming of peace on 15 June 1815.
Provenance: The Philip Medicus Collection; Norm Flayderman to Dr. John Lattimer, 1962; Lattimer Family Collection (No. 29) until 2014; private collection
Literature: Mowbray & Flayderman, p. 244, Plate 124, No. 124; Hartzler, p. 203, No. 331 (Description Courtesy James Kochan)
Revolutionary War - This hallmarked early American silver hilt is shown on pages 252-253 of "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords: Vol. I" by Daniel D. Hartzler. William Northey lived between 1735 and 1804. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Quaker and during the Revolutionary War, he strayed from his pacifist views and joined the Patriots against English commerce. He is listed as a weapons maker for the Committee of Safety and was "read out" of the Society of Friends. The wide, tapered, double-edged broadsword blade dates to the early 18th century. It has a tapered shallow center fuller. On the right side it is inscribed "NO ME SA VIS SIN RASON" and on the other side "NO ME ENBAINES SIN HONOR". This translates to "Do not draw me without reason, nor sheath me without honor". The silver semi-basket hilt features a branch on each side of the guard and a forward curled quillon. There are two branches on the right side and one was once on the left side. At the top where the knucklebow meets the pommel, there are two "WN" hallmarks in rectangles for William Northey.
Highest Grade Emmerson & Silver Cavalry Officer's Sabre
High Quality Mid nineteenth Century Diplomat Sword
This, silver Lions Head Pommel sword, comes from the Lattimer Collection and is featured on Page 161 of Silver Mounted Swords - The Lattimer Collection by Daniel Hartzler. The sword silversmith is identified to William Faris by the "WF" on the forward-facing front guard. William Faris was a silversmith located in the Annapolis region of Maryland. The sword is also document in William Hartzler's book American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Period Swords on Page 281. This is an exceedingly rare surviving piece of American sword culture.
Revolutionay War
Revolutionary War & wAR OF 1812
Federal Period Swords
Monogramed "GC" can possibly be Attributed to Colonel George Croghan More research is needed to be conclusive
High Grade Jeweled Mexican War Presentation Sword to Captain Benjamin Franklin Harvey
Personal life - (Courtesy of Wikipedia)Croghan married Serena Eliza Livingston (1795–1884), a daughter of John R. Livingston and Margaret (née Sheafe)
Livingston. Serena was a granddaughter of Robert Livingston (1718–1775) of Clermont Manor in New York. [3] Together, they were the parents of:
Mary Angelica Croghan (1819–1906), who married the Rev. Christopher Billop Wyatt, a grandson of Christopher Billop, in 1848. [4]
St. George Louis Livingston Croghan (1823–1861), who married Cornelia Adelaide Ridgely,[5] daughter of Commodore Charles C. Ridgely (son of Gov. Charles C. Ridgely) and Cornelia Louisiana (née Livingston) Ridgely (daughter of Robert L. Livingston and granddaughter of Walter Livingston), in 1846.
Serena Livingston Croghan (1833–1926), who married Augustus Frederick Rodgers.
Croghan died in New Orleans, Louisiana during the cholera epidemic of 1849, which had high mortality rates. He was buried at the site of Fort Stephenson, in what is now Fremont, Ohio.
Legacy and honors
Croghan's tomb and a soldiers' memorial to the war installed by the DAR in 1903 are both located on the library grounds near Croghan Street, which was renamed in his honor.
The village and town of Croghan, New York are also named after him.
High Grade Federal Period Artillery Officer's Sabre
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