RARE LATE 18TH CENTURY HISTORICAL SMALL SWORD ATTRIBUTED TO COMMODORE STEPHEN DECATUR.

RARE LATE 18TH CENTURY HISTORICAL SMALL SWORD ATTRIBUTED TO COMMODORE STEPHEN DECATUR. Family legend that has been shared with generations of Decatur descendants specified that Commodore Decatur broke his sword while boarding a Turkish ship a short while after his brother had been killed by other Turks. This sword is most definitely broken. It is purported to be that very sword worn by Decatur as he boarded the ship. This sword is definitely of the period and dates to the late 18th century and swords with a similar configuration were made both in the Baltimore, Maryland area as well as the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area as indicated on page 40 of E. Andrew Mowbray’s book, ”“The American Eagle Pommel Sword ”. The pommel is a distinctive eagle head with perfectly round eyes. The knuckle guard is a flattened design. The knuckle grip is broken beneath the eagle beak. The counter guard is elliptical-shaped and the entire handle and guard retain much of the original gold wash. on the blade side of the guard there is a small touchmark which appears to be an inverted “C” with a small design in the center. The blade is of the Colichemarde pattern, etched with designs including a sunburst. The scabbard retains gold wash metal mounts and is of leather. SIZE: Length of remaining portion of the sword is approx. 24-1/4″; length of the remaining blade is approx. 18-1/4″. CONDITION: As noted previously. Blade has scattered surface rust and some pitting. 9-98726 (20,000-40,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010

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
	2147D	$11,500.00	RARE LATE 18TH CENTURY HISTORICAL SMALL SWORD ATTRIBUTED TO COMMODORE STEPHEN DECATUR. Family legend that has been shared with generations of Decatur descendants specified that Commodore Decatur broke his sword while boarding a Turkish ship a short while after his brother had been killed by other Turks. This sword is most definitely broken. It is purported to be that very sword worn by Decatur as he boarded the ship. This sword is definitely of the period and dates to the late 18th century and swords with a similar configuration were made both in the Baltimore, Maryland area as well as the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area as indicated on page 40 of E. Andrew Mowbray’s book, ”“The American Eagle Pommel Sword ”. The pommel is a distinctive eagle head with perfectly round eyes. The knuckle guard is a flattened design. The knuckle grip is broken beneath the eagle beak. The counter guard is elliptical-shaped and the entire handle and guard retain much of the original gold wash. on the blade side of the guard there is a small touchmark which appears to be an inverted “C” with a small design in the center. The blade is of the Colichemarde pattern, etched with designs including a sunburst. The scabbard retains gold wash metal mounts and is of leather. SIZE: Length of remaining portion of the sword is approx. 24-1/4″; length of the remaining blade is approx. 18-1/4″. CONDITION: As noted previously. Blade has scattered surface rust and some pitting. 9-98726 (20,000-40,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010 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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