RARE REVOLUTIONARY WAR JOHN BAILEY MADE LION HEAD SILVER-HILTED OFFICER’S SWORD.

RARE REVOLUTIONARY WAR JOHN BAILEY MADE LION HEAD SILVER-HILTED OFFICER’S SWORD. John Bailey was a well known American silversmith and cutler. He originally worked in New York City prior to the Revolutionary War but he, being a true patriot, left the city in 1777 and moved to Fredericsburg, NY where he could continue to make swords for American officers. He then moved on to Fishkill, NY and later to Verplanck, NY. Swords are known signed by Bailey in both Fishkill and Verplanck. John Bailey was known to have made George Washington’s simple silver hilt cuttoe now in the Smithsonian and which is pictured in many texts. Bailey, during the Revolutionary War period, signed his swords on the top scabbard mount. Scabbard is missing with this sword, however, there are several very distinct characteristics of Bailey’s swords which make his work easy to identify. This sword exhibits his very distinctive lion head with protruding snout and rows of exposed teeth. Bailey’s chained knuckle bows have distinct pairs of loops soldered at 90 degree angles not seen by other makers. Only two American makers are known to have used a thin iron wearplate inset into crossguard which is present on this sword. The other American maker to use this feature was Ephram Brasher. Another distinctive feature of Bailey swords was his use of “ANDREA FARARA” blades with monarch head cartouches which this 28″ blade exhibits. This sword is in “as found” condition still exhibiting a few drips of paint where it was hanging on a wall in a Newburgh, NY estate. This is the first time this sword has been offered since its recent discovery. CONDITION: Blade overall is gray with old cleaning and pitting. “ANDREA FARARA” and monarch head cartouches are well struck and easily discerned. Silver hilt is uncleaned with a dark silver patina with good details to lion’s face and mane and distinctive eyes and snout. Decorated details of cut-out crossguard are also easily discernible with same dark silver patina. The iron inset plate is dark brown and pitted overall. The dbl chain knuckle bow has one complete chain and about 1/4 of the second. The spiral cut ivory grip has several age cracks with some minor chipping at base of largest 1-1/2″ crack. 8-76325 JS52 (8,000-12,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

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
	2312	$9,775.00	RARE REVOLUTIONARY WAR JOHN BAILEY MADE LION HEAD SILVER-HILTED OFFICER’S SWORD. John Bailey was a well known American silversmith and cutler. He originally worked in New York City prior to the Revolutionary War but he, being a true patriot, left the city in 1777 and moved to Fredericsburg, NY where he could continue to make swords for American officers. He then moved on to Fishkill, NY and later to Verplanck, NY. Swords are known signed by Bailey in both Fishkill and Verplanck. John Bailey was known to have made George Washington’s simple silver hilt cuttoe now in the Smithsonian and which is pictured in many texts. Bailey, during the Revolutionary War period, signed his swords on the top scabbard mount. Scabbard is missing with this sword, however, there are several very distinct characteristics of Bailey’s swords which make his work easy to identify. This sword exhibits his very distinctive lion head with protruding snout and rows of exposed teeth. Bailey’s chained knuckle bows have distinct pairs of loops soldered at 90 degree angles not seen by other makers. Only two American makers are known to have used a thin iron wearplate inset into crossguard which is present on this sword. The other American maker to use this feature was Ephram Brasher. Another distinctive feature of Bailey swords was his use of “ANDREA FARARA” blades with monarch head cartouches which this 28″ blade exhibits. This sword is in “as found” condition still exhibiting a few drips of paint where it was hanging on a wall in a Newburgh, NY estate. This is the first time this sword has been offered since its recent discovery. CONDITION: Blade overall is gray with old cleaning and pitting. “ANDREA FARARA” and monarch head cartouches are well struck and easily discerned. Silver hilt is uncleaned with a dark silver patina with good details to lion’s face and mane and distinctive eyes and snout. Decorated details of cut-out crossguard are also easily discernible with same dark silver patina. The iron inset plate is dark brown and pitted overall. The dbl chain knuckle bow has one complete chain and about 1/4 of the second. The spiral cut ivory grip has several age cracks with some minor chipping at base of largest 1-1/2″ crack. 8-76325 JS52 (8,000-12,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 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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