American Eagle Head Sabre

Hotspur · 7th November 2012, 04:48 PM

Hi Norman

These can be tricky to distinguish from where distribution/export to America happened. At first glance, I would say undoubtedly one of the Solingen consortium but then in seeing the bit of the blade decoration, the B&G looks like that was done in England. With S&K and other agents in England, it is not hard to figure at least parts of the sword were Prussian made. The spiral bone also more an English cutler trait. look close at the spine of the blade at the base and see if there is a little squiggle f a couple of lines.

This is of the floating big head and although similar to the "Ketland" bird. I would think generally speaking it belongs to the 1830s or perhaps a little earlier.

I am still (in a rather erstwhile fashion) looking at John Salter & Co of England, who really as a name belongs to an earlier period but the company remained as an exporter of swords to America well into the 1830s.

The blade decoration of blue&gilt another consideration for a possible time but blades were made and decorated, then held in stock with some of this fasion still turing up in the 1840s and even later.

The Prussian big head crested eagles do start to appear by 1812 but the b&g traits on the blades themselves can help to determine an early style vs post 1812 blades.

E.Alexander Mowbray, author of the early/federal period of eagle head pommels book really does not go into this family, as even his and other's thoughts place them after his 1830 benchmark for the book. He does allude to heads like the "Ketland" but not as directly associated.

Mowbray the younger and Flayderman then assemble the Medicus collection of swords and both leave a lot of leeway for speculation/investigation that still goes on. Both Solingen and Birmingham had so many shops going that it is only when a sword is specifically marked to a maker that some do get pigeon holed as Mowbray the elder did. Forever since, his chapters become a basic typology often based on a single marked sword.

My big head backstrap eagle has a definitely Prussian blade and decoration, as well as possibly a good bit earlier b ut the slim blade will always make me wonder. This one possibly from the Knecht family and maybe the 1820s.

Cheers

GC

7th November 2012, 04:48 PM	#2
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 508	Hi Norman These can be tricky to distinguish from where distribution/export to America happened. At first glance, I would say undoubtedly one of the Solingen consortium but then in seeing the bit of the blade decoration, the B&G looks like that was done in England. With S&K and other agents in England, it is not hard to figure at least parts of the sword were Prussian made. The spiral bone also more an English cutler trait. look close at the spine of the blade at the base and see if there is a little squiggle f a couple of lines. This is of the floating big head and although similar to the "Ketland" bird. I would think generally speaking it belongs to the 1830s or perhaps a little earlier. I am still (in a rather erstwhile fashion) looking at John Salter & Co of England, who really as a name belongs to an earlier period but the company remained as an exporter of swords to America well into the 1830s. The blade decoration of blue&gilt another consideration for a possible time but blades were made and decorated, then held in stock with some of this fasion still turing up in the 1840s and even later. The Prussian big head crested eagles do start to appear by 1812 but the b&g traits on the blades themselves can help to determine an early style vs post 1812 blades. E.Alexander Mowbray, author of the early/federal period of eagle head pommels book really does not go into this family, as even his and other's thoughts place them after his 1830 benchmark for the book. He does allude to heads like the "Ketland" but not as directly associated. Mowbray the younger and Flayderman then assemble the Medicus collection of swords and both leave a lot of leeway for speculation/investigation that still goes on. Both Solingen and Birmingham had so many shops going that it is only when a sword is specifically marked to a maker that some do get pigeon holed as Mowbray the elder did. Forever since, his chapters become a basic typology often based on a single marked sword. My big head backstrap eagle has a definitely Prussian blade and decoration, as well as possibly a good bit earlier b ut the slim blade will always make me wonder. This one possibly from the Knecht family and maybe the 1820s. Cheers GC Attached Images