RARE INSCRIBED SWORD OF JOHN SHAW, USS ENTERPRISE.

RARE INSCRIBED SWORD OF JOHN SHAW, USS ENTERPRISE. This beautiful sword is a standard 5 ball, urn pommel pattern made from gilted brass and fluted bone grip. An unusual feature of this sword is a small, inset, gilted anchor approx. 1/4″ tall. A presentation plaque in grips reads “Comm. Jno. Shaw Sc Enterprise.” 36″ blue and gold blade exhibits the motto “Liberty and Independence” in a 9″ panel. Reverse panel reads “United States of America” with an early 19th century style American eagle surrounded by 16 stars (the 16th state Tennessee became a state in 1792). Our consignor states the following history: “JOHN SHAW, U.S. NAVY. This is a typical pattern British or American naval officer’s sword of the late 18th-early 19th century. It has a pillow pommel with a fluted ivory grip and gilded mountings. Typical of the period is the ‘5 Ball’ decoration on the guard and knuckle bow. Inset into the guard is a small fouled anchor. The imported blade is about 36″ long, has a wide fuller, and is blued with gold inlay in the etching for about 13” of its length. The words “Liberty and Independence” are etched on the obverse and on the reverse “United States of America”. There is also a heraldic American Eagle with 16 stars on its shield on the reverse. The number of stars is an indication of the date of manufacture but not always absolute. (The 16th state, Tennessee, entered the Union in 1796 and the 17th state, Ohio, in 1803.) This, together with the features mentioned above, would seem to place the date of manufacture between 1796 and 1803. There is, however and additional piece of information that helps date the sword. Inlaid into the ivory grip is an oval disk upon which is engraved “COMM/Jn-Shaw/Sc ENTERPRISE”. John Shaw was born in Ireland in 1773 and immigrated to the United States in 1791, settling in Philadelphia. He went to sea, and after 4 lengthy voyages was, (in the spring of 1798), appointed lieutenant in the young U.S. Navy. The “Quasi War” with France was then heating up and the Navy was in process of rebuilding after a protracted period of inactivity. Shaw was ranked about number 30 in seniority, rating above Chauncy and Decatur. His first station was U.S.S. Montezuma as first lieutenant. After a cruise to the West Indies, in October of 1799, Shaw was posted to command the newly constructed 12 gun sloop U.S.S. Enterprise. In December 1799 he put to sea for what was to become one of the most successful cruises in American naval history. Over the next 8 months he recaptured eight American ships that had been taken by the French and took nine French privateers, most of equal or greater size than Enterprise. Shaw later reported “I have in my last cruise made 300 prisoners, killed and wounded 61 men, taken 42 pieces of artillery and 180 stand of musketry which is more than I could have contemplated.” Shaw’s health was not good and he was relieved and returned to Washington arriving in January 1801 when he was thanked by President John Adams for his services. It logically would seem that at about this time either Shaw had made or was given this sword to commemorate his successful cruise. It is possible, of course that Shaw might have purchased the sword when he was first appointed lieutenant in 1798. It is most probably that the sword was made sometime between 1798 and 1803. Shaw later commanded 1801: U.S.S. George Washington; 1805: U.S.S. John Adams; 1806: Naval Station New Orleans; 1808: Naval Station Norfolk; 1810: New Orleans; 1814: U.S.S. United States; 1815: Commander in Chief Mediterranean Squadron; 1818: Naval Station Norfolk; 1819: U.S.S. Independence. Shaw died in 1823. -A History of the United States Navy from 1775 to 1894 Edgar Stanton Maclay D. Appleton & Company 1897. Copyright Stanley B. Smullen 111 11/11/05 U.S. NAVY SCHOONER ENTERPRIZE (12). The outbreak of the Quasi-War with France in 1798 found the U.S. Navy with very few vessels in commission and ready for sea. As a result, eight revenue cutters were reassigned to the Navy, merchantmen were purchased and armed, and new vessels were contracted out to civilian yards. Built on Maryland’s Easter Shore by Hugh Spencer, ENTERPRIZE was launched and commissioned in December 1799. She was the third vessel to bear this name in the Navy. With Lt. John Shaw, U.S. Navy, as her first commander, the new topsail schooner was immediately ordered to Commodore Morris’ squadron in the Caribbean. The mission was to suppress French privateers preying on American merchantmen. During the following eight months Shaw and his command re-captured eleven American ships and took thirteen French privateers. This record made the ENTERPRIZE the most successful vessel on the station in counteracting French predation on our merchant service. In recognition of this exemplary cruise, the ENTERPRIZE was the only small vessel retained by the Navy during the severe cutbacks at the end of the war in 1801. Another result of her success as a cruiser and her reputation as a fast and handy vessel, in 1803 her lines were taken-off to be used for the newly authorized schooner VIXEN. ENTERPRIZE had a relatively long and successful career. She served in the Mediterranean during the Barbary Wars and in the War of 1812 made several notable captures. The most famous at the time, was the taking of the British brig BOXER(12). This action occurred off Portland, Maine on 5 Sept. 1813, with both captains being killed during the fight. By 1815 ENTERPRIZE was back in the Mediterranean, attached to Bainbridge’s squadron. In 1817 she was ordered to the Caribbean once again for the suppression of piracy, and during the following five years took another thirteen prizes. Her career ended abruptly on 9 July 1823, when she was wrecked on Little Curacao Island, but all hands were saved. She was commanded by other notable officers such as Lieutenant Andrew Sterett, Isaac Hull, Stephen Decatur, and William Burrows. No plans have ever been found for ENTERPRIZE, but her dimensions had been noted down as 83′ 6″ length along deck, 60′ 0″ keel, 22′ 6″ beam and 11’6″ depth of hold. Her armament varied, ranging from twelve 6-pdrs. in 1799, to fourteen the following year. By 1813 she was carrying fourteen 18-pdr. carronades and two long 9’s. Her final battery consisted of one 9-pdr., six 18-pdr. carronades and one 13″ mortar. ENTERPRIZE was completely rebuilt several times. In 1813 her rig was changed from the original topsail schooner to that of a brig, so that her later aspect was very different from her original form. C-Stanley B. Smullen 111 7/06″ CONDITION: Hilt and pommel retain about 90% of their orig gilt, as does inset anchor device. There is a 1/4″ x 3/4″ chip of bone missing adjacent to ferrule exposing blade tang. Blade overall is very good, retaining about 1/2 orig gold and blue. Blade has scattered pitting, especially at tip. 4-32121 JS31 (15,000-20,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1358	$21,850.00	RARE INSCRIBED SWORD OF JOHN SHAW, USS ENTERPRISE. This beautiful sword is a standard 5 ball, urn pommel pattern made from gilted brass and fluted bone grip. An unusual feature of this sword is a small, inset, gilted anchor approx. 1/4″ tall. A presentation plaque in grips reads “Comm. Jno. Shaw Sc Enterprise.” 36″ blue and gold blade exhibits the motto “Liberty and Independence” in a 9″ panel. Reverse panel reads “United States of America” with an early 19th century style American eagle surrounded by 16 stars (the 16th state Tennessee became a state in 1792). Our consignor states the following history: “JOHN SHAW, U.S. NAVY. This is a typical pattern British or American naval officer’s sword of the late 18th-early 19th century. It has a pillow pommel with a fluted ivory grip and gilded mountings. Typical of the period is the ‘5 Ball’ decoration on the guard and knuckle bow. Inset into the guard is a small fouled anchor. The imported blade is about 36″ long, has a wide fuller, and is blued with gold inlay in the etching for about 13” of its length. The words “Liberty and Independence” are etched on the obverse and on the reverse “United States of America”. There is also a heraldic American Eagle with 16 stars on its shield on the reverse. The number of stars is an indication of the date of manufacture but not always absolute. (The 16th state, Tennessee, entered the Union in 1796 and the 17th state, Ohio, in 1803.) This, together with the features mentioned above, would seem to place the date of manufacture between 1796 and 1803. There is, however and additional piece of information that helps date the sword. Inlaid into the ivory grip is an oval disk upon which is engraved “COMM/Jn-Shaw/Sc ENTERPRISE”. John Shaw was born in Ireland in 1773 and immigrated to the United States in 1791, settling in Philadelphia. He went to sea, and after 4 lengthy voyages was, (in the spring of 1798), appointed lieutenant in the young U.S. Navy. The “Quasi War” with France was then heating up and the Navy was in process of rebuilding after a protracted period of inactivity. Shaw was ranked about number 30 in seniority, rating above Chauncy and Decatur. His first station was U.S.S. Montezuma as first lieutenant. After a cruise to the West Indies, in October of 1799, Shaw was posted to command the newly constructed 12 gun sloop U.S.S. Enterprise. In December 1799 he put to sea for what was to become one of the most successful cruises in American naval history. Over the next 8 months he recaptured eight American ships that had been taken by the French and took nine French privateers, most of equal or greater size than Enterprise. Shaw later reported “I have in my last cruise made 300 prisoners, killed and wounded 61 men, taken 42 pieces of artillery and 180 stand of musketry which is more than I could have contemplated.” Shaw’s health was not good and he was relieved and returned to Washington arriving in January 1801 when he was thanked by President John Adams for his services. It logically would seem that at about this time either Shaw had made or was given this sword to commemorate his successful cruise. It is possible, of course that Shaw might have purchased the sword when he was first appointed lieutenant in 1798. It is most probably that the sword was made sometime between 1798 and 1803. Shaw later commanded 1801: U.S.S. George Washington; 1805: U.S.S. John Adams; 1806: Naval Station New Orleans; 1808: Naval Station Norfolk; 1810: New Orleans; 1814: U.S.S. United States; 1815: Commander in Chief Mediterranean Squadron; 1818: Naval Station Norfolk; 1819: U.S.S. Independence. Shaw died in 1823. -A History of the United States Navy from 1775 to 1894 Edgar Stanton Maclay D. Appleton & Company 1897. Copyright Stanley B. Smullen 111 11/11/05 U.S. NAVY SCHOONER ENTERPRIZE (12). The outbreak of the Quasi-War with France in 1798 found the U.S. Navy with very few vessels in commission and ready for sea. As a result, eight revenue cutters were reassigned to the Navy, merchantmen were purchased and armed, and new vessels were contracted out to civilian yards. Built on Maryland’s Easter Shore by Hugh Spencer, ENTERPRIZE was launched and commissioned in December 1799. She was the third vessel to bear this name in the Navy. With Lt. John Shaw, U.S. Navy, as her first commander, the new topsail schooner was immediately ordered to Commodore Morris’ squadron in the Caribbean. The mission was to suppress French privateers preying on American merchantmen. During the following eight months Shaw and his command re-captured eleven American ships and took thirteen French privateers. This record made the ENTERPRIZE the most successful vessel on the station in counteracting French predation on our merchant service. In recognition of this exemplary cruise, the ENTERPRIZE was the only small vessel retained by the Navy during the severe cutbacks at the end of the war in 1801. Another result of her success as a cruiser and her reputation as a fast and handy vessel, in 1803 her lines were taken-off to be used for the newly authorized schooner VIXEN. ENTERPRIZE had a relatively long and successful career. She served in the Mediterranean during the Barbary Wars and in the War of 1812 made several notable captures. The most famous at the time, was the taking of the British brig BOXER(12). This action occurred off Portland, Maine on 5 Sept. 1813, with both captains being killed during the fight. By 1815 ENTERPRIZE was back in the Mediterranean, attached to Bainbridge’s squadron. In 1817 she was ordered to the Caribbean once again for the suppression of piracy, and during the following five years took another thirteen prizes. Her career ended abruptly on 9 July 1823, when she was wrecked on Little Curacao Island, but all hands were saved. She was commanded by other notable officers such as Lieutenant Andrew Sterett, Isaac Hull, Stephen Decatur, and William Burrows. No plans have ever been found for ENTERPRIZE, but her dimensions had been noted down as 83′ 6″ length along deck, 60′ 0″ keel, 22′ 6″ beam and 11’6″ depth of hold. Her armament varied, ranging from twelve 6-pdrs. in 1799, to fourteen the following year. By 1813 she was carrying fourteen 18-pdr. carronades and two long 9’s. Her final battery consisted of one 9-pdr., six 18-pdr. carronades and one 13″ mortar. ENTERPRIZE was completely rebuilt several times. In 1813 her rig was changed from the original topsail schooner to that of a brig, so that her later aspect was very different from her original form. C-Stanley B. Smullen 111 7/06″ CONDITION: Hilt and pommel retain about 90% of their orig gilt, as does inset anchor device. There is a 1/4″ x 3/4″ chip of bone missing adjacent to ferrule exposing blade tang. Blade overall is very good, retaining about 1/2 orig gold and blue. Blade has scattered pitting, especially at tip. 4-32121 JS31 (15,000-20,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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