George Washington's Swords.

Jim McDougall · 1st November 2017, 05:27 PM

Excellent Ibrahiim!!!! and thank you for these brilliant excerpts!
I recently got this book on George Washington's swords, and indeed it is most important to see the scope of sword types he owned. It is always the case that officers will typically have a range of swords suitable for various occasions. There were 'hunting' swords (hangers); dress or 'walking' swords; court swords for diplomatic occasions as well as fancy dress swords for 'parade'.
Often officers also had heavier less embellished swords often termed 'undress' as well as favorite sword forms termed 'fighting swords' for use on campaign.

kronckew · 1st November 2017, 06:06 PM

cool video, GW had a number of colichimarde smallswords.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZrYYCce3EY

he was carrying one when he was inaugurated as president, i saw a photo of him wearing one in his continental uniform just recently.

Hotspur · 2nd November 2017, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

cool video, GW had a number of colichimarde smallswords.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZrYYCce3EY

he was carrying one when he was inaugurated as president, i saw a photo of him wearing one in his continental uniform just recently.

There is a journal about somewhere describing Washington traveling to NYC for the inauguration. He arrived in plain clothes and was fitted out with fresh attire for the ceremonies. The sword he wore for that, presented to him for the occasion and quite possibly not something he traveled home with. The Bailey sword perhaps the most known sword associated with the revolution but the other hanger referenced as his sword from the previous war, as a militia officer.

Cheers

GC

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 4th November 2017, 08:02 PM

Another occasion when George Washington wore a famous sword..

In January 1791, President George Washington's Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton proposed a seemingly innocuous excise tax "upon spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same."1 What Congress failed to predict was the vehement rejection of this tax by Americans living on the frontier of Western Pennsylvania. By 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion threatened the stability of the nascent United States and forced President Washington to personally lead the United States militia westward to stop the rebels.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 7th November 2017, 08:56 PM

George Washington on the Battlefield.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 8th November 2017, 07:50 PM

At the battle of Princeton.

Jim McDougall · 10th November 2017, 02:57 AM

Some years ago, I read that George Washington had among his swords, a mourning sword with a Spanish motto. I was curious why one of the swords we have known as a Spanish dragoon type sword (usually a 'bilbo' type) would be in this context. I had not discovered more and did not pursue it.

When this book came out, I remembered that information and hoped to find more on the mysterious 'Spanish ' mourning sword.

Instead I found what was listed as a M1767 French officers epee. It was noted that this sword was often regarded as Washington's mourning sword as it was worn by him to funerals. It apparently had inscriptions in Latin, 'recti face ice' (=do what is right'); 'nemine timeas' (= fear no man).
It seems perhaps this may have been perceived as Spanish? in references to Washington's mourning sword, which refer to it as his 'Spanish dress sword'.

In other reading I found that there are two swords associated with Washington which are 'whereabouts unknown'.
One of these was apparently a 'mourning sword' with blackened mounts, belt and swivels ordered and received from London June, 1773 upon the death of his daughter Patsy.

it would appear that the mysterious Spanish mourning sword that I had seen referred to was apparently the French M1867 with Latin inscriptions, and not the blackened mounts sword which is no longer known as far as its whereabouts .

theswordcollector · 2nd November 2017, 08:48 AM

Hello fellow collectors ,

You may also research some of the great (Francis Bannerman) offerings of early famous American weapons `"BANNERMAN CATALOGUE OF MILITARY GOODS" Those catalogs are priceless reference books today with some the original early American side arms of famous Americans :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Excellent Ibrahiim!!!! and thank you for these brilliant excerpts!
I recently got this book on George Washington's swords, and indeed it is most important to see the scope of sword types he owned. It is always the case that officers will typically have a range of swords suitable for various occasions. There were 'hunting' swords (hangers); dress or 'walking' swords; court swords for diplomatic occasions as well as fancy dress swords for 'parade'.
Often officers also had heavier less embellished swords often termed 'undress' as well as favorite sword forms termed 'fighting swords' for use on campaign.

4th November 2017, 08:02 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Another occasion when George Washington wore a famous sword.. In January 1791, President George Washington's Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton proposed a seemingly innocuous excise tax "upon spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same."1 What Congress failed to predict was the vehement rejection of this tax by Americans living on the frontier of Western Pennsylvania. By 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion threatened the stability of the nascent United States and forced President Washington to personally lead the United States militia westward to stop the rebels. Attached Images

7th November 2017, 08:56 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	George Washington on the Battlefield. Attached Images

8th November 2017, 07:50 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	At the battle of Princeton. Attached Images

1st November 2017, 05:27 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Excellent Ibrahiim!!!! and thank you for these brilliant excerpts! I recently got this book on George Washington's swords, and indeed it is most important to see the scope of sword types he owned. It is always the case that officers will typically have a range of swords suitable for various occasions. There were 'hunting' swords (hangers); dress or 'walking' swords; court swords for diplomatic occasions as well as fancy dress swords for 'parade'. Often officers also had heavier less embellished swords often termed 'undress' as well as favorite sword forms termed 'fighting swords' for use on campaign.

1st November 2017, 06:06 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	cool video, GW had a number of colichimarde smallswords. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZrYYCce3EY he was carrying one when he was inaugurated as president, i saw a photo of him wearing one in his continental uniform just recently.

10th November 2017, 02:57 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Some years ago, I read that George Washington had among his swords, a mourning sword with a Spanish motto. I was curious why one of the swords we have known as a Spanish dragoon type sword (usually a 'bilbo' type) would be in this context. I had not discovered more and did not pursue it. When this book came out, I remembered that information and hoped to find more on the mysterious 'Spanish ' mourning sword. Instead I found what was listed as a M1767 French officers epee. It was noted that this sword was often regarded as Washington's mourning sword as it was worn by him to funerals. It apparently had inscriptions in Latin, 'recti face ice' (=do what is right'); 'nemine timeas' (= fear no man). It seems perhaps this may have been perceived as Spanish? in references to Washington's mourning sword, which refer to it as his 'Spanish dress sword'. In other reading I found that there are two swords associated with Washington which are 'whereabouts unknown'. One of these was apparently a 'mourning sword' with blackened mounts, belt and swivels ordered and received from London June, 1773 upon the death of his daughter Patsy. it would appear that the mysterious Spanish mourning sword that I had seen referred to was apparently the French M1867 with Latin inscriptions, and not the blackened mounts sword which is no longer known as far as its whereabouts .