This sword has been called an "Artillery Officer's Saber" because of the definitely curved blade, the lack of branches on the hilt, and because of the obvious quality.  It is a beautiful weapon.  Soldiers in the artillery had to ride horses as they pulled caissons of field guns.  The longer heavier cavalry sabers were not practical.  Branches on the hilt would interfere with the use of the right arm to control the horses.  This saber was owned by the Corcan Museum in Washington, DC, long ago, when the museum displayed historical weapons.  Later, the museum turned to paintings.

The "Eagle Head" hilt has bone grips and is made of gilded brass.  The two langets display eagles with shields.  The scabbard is made of brass.  The blade of this saber is interesting because it is blued and because the floral designs and military insignia are actually engraved.  Most officer's swords have designs on the blades which are loosely described as "engraved", when actually they are "etched" using wax-like substances and acid.  Engraving is done with a sharp instrument.  This saber has the engraved designs inlaid with gold so that they stand out against the blue background.

Please count the the stars.  There are fifteen.  Kentucky became a state in 1792, Tennessee in 1796.  These facts and other considerations set the date of manufacture of the saber as about 1796.  There is no maker's identification on this beautiful saber, but it is a work of perfection.  It is an American sword.  The insignia, above, is proof!

Over forty years ago, The Department of the Army hired researchers to determine exact descriptions of historical army uniforms and weapons.  Then, artists painted pictures which were published and distributed to army units for morale purposes.  One of those pictures on the next page shows a general officer with an eagle head, brass sheathed saber similar to the one in this sword collection shown on the opposite page.