This Rare Sword Has Been Sold. Thank you! ANTIQUE U.S. EAGLE HEADED NAVAL OFFICERS SWORD  GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC      Presented in overall excellent untouched condition is a 29" straight blade, famous eagle headed Naval Officer's sword. It's blued and gilded blade is in exceptional original condition, and has an engraved flower motif.  There is a fuller (blood drain) which runs almost 15 inches down its blade that becomes double edged from there to the point. There are no visible maker's marks or a date in its present form, but it clearly is representative of the 1812 - 1840 Period. The knuckle bow is Rocco with floral designs. Harold L. Peterson dates this design in his book as Ca 1825-1840. (see below)   The brass hilt has an ornately embellished large sized counter guard with an upper quilon. The counter guard has a reclining women with outstretched arm holding a caduceus, a horn of plenty with a ship over. She sits to the right of an anchor which is below an American spread eagle with shield. The grip is of ivory with cross hatching and is in perfect condition except for one small age crack.       The bluing and gilding is in exceptional original condition CONDITION:  The bluing, gliding and brass work are in exceptionally good condition. The ornate brass guard and handle is in perfect condition with no looseness. The blade is in excellent condition with very little pitting and discoloration. It still has an edge and is smooth to the touch. The ivory grip's cross hatching is by hand, and is in excellent condition. The brass scabbard is complete with some dents along its length and a small bend in its center halfway down. Overall, this sword is in exceptional original condition with a nice patina. Everything about the sword is exceptional. The blade retains its original edge, and its surface is smooth, untouched, with very little age spotting and an even patina. The companion brass scabbard has some dents, but is otherwise in excellent condition. It is complete and also original with a floral shield beneath the first ring and a pleasing patina. Overall length of the sword without scabbard is 36 1/4", with a scabbard of 32 3/4".   This counter guard of this  sword is similar to that pictured in the book, "The American Sword, 1775-1945" by Harold L. Peterson, page 152, item 132. Dover Publications, 2003. This is a very rare example of a eagle headed sword with a published example Fiercely proud eagle head pommel & large guard                    Reverse side of ivory handle             Double edged point HISTORY: America's armed forces were increased in numbers around 1799 with the approach of the War of 1812 with England. It was in those years at the turn of the 19th century that the eagle's head in a style that was typically American in character first began to be used as the pommel of sword hilts intended for the military. At the same time, the bird in its entirety, with or without the motto, "E. Pluribus Unum," was incorporated in the decoration of blades. After great deliberation and much discussion, the eagle was finally adopted in 1782 as an appropriate national emblem. Shortly thereafter, it made its official début in the use of the Great Seal of the United States, and on the coinage. Soon afterward this insignia made its appearance generally on military paraphernalia. In the United States National Museum at Washington is an unusually interesting officer's saber, undoubtedly of French manufacture, having an eagle head pommel and blade decorated with spread eagle, motto, and the date 1783. This is without question one of the first swords to be so designed and inscribed. Once the vogue for the eagle head pommel was established, it remained in popularity in the Army for half a century. In the naval service it was much shorter lived, probably from about 1832 into the 1840's.   Most American Officer swords in the period from the end of the American Revolution to the early 1820s were foreign made. The styles of the period dictated officer swords of fine quality, and the skills needed to make them were in short supply in the young country. Nowhere in the United States could there be found the expertise to make the fine decorated blades that were the fashion. There were silversmiths in America that could mount imported blades and create swords of high quality, but their number were small and output was not high. In addition, the cutlers of Britain, France, and Germany were so efficient that American cutlers had difficulty being financially competitive.   DIMENSIONS: Sword 36 1/4" long overall. 32" blade length. Max width of blade 3/4"  In scabbard 37 3/4" Weight 2 lbs                          Close up of engraved blade Counter guard with American eagle, over anchor, women holding a caduceus, a horn of plenty, with a ship over. Without exception for its age an and years of use this is a first rate U.S. Naval sword from a historic period in our nation's history. OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. Returns must be insured for their full value. All that is required is a prior email authorization by us for the return. Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling unless we are at fault. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WELCOME, but eBay policy does not allow for knives to be sold overseas. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey,  United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check,  personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No checks from overseas buyers, no credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item. This represents an outstanding example of a War of 1825 - 1840 eagle headed sword in near perfect condition with a pedigree. Buy this magnificent collector's cannon Now!   Copyright 2008 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved