3319 AMERICAN SILVER HILTED EAGLE POMMEL INFANTRY

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,250.00 USD
Estimated at 2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
OFFICER’S SWORD. Overall length: 32”. Blade length: 25 3/4". Blade has a central medium fuller and a secondary narrow fuller near the spine. The blade is stamped near the hilt “S & G HARVEY” on each side. One side of the blade, along the central fuller, is commemorative etching that reads “1785 DANIEL MILLETT 1853 CAPTAIN SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY”. Silver hilt with a large, slightly S-shaped guard featuring eagle head quillons on each end. The central portion of the guard has another American eagle on one side with a monster head superimposing a spray of arms on the other. Chain knuckle bow attaches to the center of the eagle head pommel’s mouth. A 2-level capstan tops the exceptionally well-executed pommel, boasting fine details, particularly on each of the feathers. Arsenic dyed green, certifiably antique ivory grip with spiral incised lineal decoration. Black leather scabbard with a silver throat, bearing another eagle above the frog stud, and a scallop-topped silver tip. This sword was carried by Captain Daniel Millett during his service with the Salem Light Infantry of Massachusetts. It is quite likely that this sword predates Daniel Millett’s military service, and it is reasonable to assume this sword was previously carried by his father, Joseph Millett. Millett was known as an industrious, vigorous man and was honored by selection, by Colonel Pickering and subsequently General Washington, as a confidential bearer of dispatches. CONDITION: blade has a light gray patina with no evidence of pitting or sharpening. Silver shows a pleasing, honest tarnish. The hilt, in general, is a bit loose, but the eagle pommel shows no damage. The grip remains quite solid with only one tight age crack. Scabbard has minor flaking and remains quite solid. The throat is missing its carrying ring, but the frog stud is present. (02-20966/BF). $2,500-3,500.