Eagle Pommel Swords

[Hotspur]

Hi Mark,

I don't think the diamond in the counterguard is specific to a maker, or intended service simply because I see it on a variety of Birmingham swords, my Wooley spadroon has a diamond. With the Thurkle eagles, I typically only see the 1796 like spadroons and the big sabres. I was lucky to find a Thurkle in my price range and that only because it has a cracked blade and looked like it had been in a fire. Mine revealed all its gilt under the soot. It is a big sword, as you might note at the top of the rack.

My files really are a work in progress and I have somewhat slowed down, even to the point of stalling a bit. So much has been well published that while there are still questions to be answered, much has been accounted for. We have come a long way since Peterson's 1954 old testament came out. I still have a lot of questions about Birmingham and John Salter(&Co) specifically because of the longevity of the exports.

The Phrals are spectacular in person. I doubt I will ever own one. I saw a very clean example well into the five figure mark but could only gawk and keep my hands in my pockets. The other American Baltimore and Philadelphia eagles quite scarce on the market as well. There was an interesting Emmor T Weaver eagle a month or so ago that may not be in those files (yet). My all time favorites still seem to be the Boltons. Followed by the Osborn weepers.

Thanks for the interest

GC

Here is that Weaver

[TVV]

I just acquired this sword, and since my main interests are ethnographic weapons and Bulgarian military patterns, I have to admit, I know very little about it. I am going to get a copy of Mowbray's book, but I suspect this is a later sword past 1830 and I am not sure I will find it there.

It has a screaming eagle pommel, but am I correct in thinking this is not an Ames, but rather a British made example, based on the ricasso and the blade decoration, consisting of blue & gilt and acid etched panels?

I would really appreciate any comments. Thank you,

Teodor

[Hotspur]

A pretty bird and definitely one of the British examples. I have to still puzzle in my mind about dating the screaming eagles of this variety. We have to keep in mind that blades could be from stock and surplus mounted for decades. Very true in this case, as I suspect the pommel and grip speak to the late 1830s. The guard a decade earlier, as well as the mixed white etch and b&g panels.

At any rate, I would place it between 1836 and the early 1840s. The Ames pommel and ferrule quite distinctly different than the English examples. The unstopped fullers were phased out in the 1840s, so we have to consider other factors after the 1830s. I had recently acquired an Ames example I place to the 1840s by virtue of the etching pattern. The blade of the later pattern I have file examples of later Ames sabers with ricassos as well, so the change reflects production after the adoption of 1840s regulation patterns of such as infantry and artillery swords.

This one definitely militia, as the earlier regulation infantry spadroons were silver was, this one a gilt hilt.

In Iding an Ames of this type, start with the pommel collar and ferrule. Then move to the blade etching. I know of no Ames examples of this bird with blue&gilt.

An edit to mention that you will not find your's in the early Mowbray title but you might find the British example in The Medicus Collection book put together by Norm Flayderman and Stuart (the son) Mowbray. While lacking in detail in depth, probably the best single flash card deck of American swords.

The eagles from Ames best represented in Hamilton's history of Ames. There rare still some copies of that book at original retail but they are drying up. Occasionally found on Ebay but I know of one dealer that may syill have some (as well as Don Furr's American sword book) You can reach me at gcleeton@gmailcom or PM here but email works better. I can send the dealer information if interested. I don't want to just link it here and be frowned upon End edit

Cheers

GC

[TVV]

Glenn, I was hoping you would respond. Thank you very much for the thorough comment and the book recommendations. As a total novice I will probably start with the more general references.

Teodor

[Terry K]

These early American swords are some of my favorites!

[Hotspur]

Perhaps the most curious screaming eagle I have encountered is this Mexican hilt with a very Ames looking pommel and old Spanish cavalry blade. I still have these in a non-Ames folder but it is possible the guard and grip were always with the pommel and cast by Ames before the war with Mexico.

Cheers

GC