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General and Staff Officer’s Sword 1832 (HLP 126)
General officers and staff from 1832-1850 carried this sword. The sword was adopted in 1832 and based upon an English pattern. General officers were permitted its use until 1872. However, it was seldom used as the swords of 1850 and 1860 superseded it in favor. The sword is unusual because it is a straight sword and has a double edge. The brass gilded hilt has a knuckle-bow with beaded design and round cross quillons. The counter guard is a separate piece and the obverse side also carries the beaded design. The grips are wood covered in what appears to be gilded brass and incised. This gives a wire wrapped effect. The grips have a ferrule at their base. The straight blade is engraved on the obverse side with leaf designs, an eagle, and “E Pluribus Unum” very faintly over the eagle’s head. The reverse side of the blade shows further leaf detail and another eagle with “Sobriety” overhead. The scabbard has a throat, two carrying rings, drag and is made of gilded brass.
There is no indication of the maker, but the sword is American because the American eagle on the blade is surrounded by thirteen stars. The motto, E Pluribus Unum” is ours!
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