Original Item. Only One Available. This sword is the official United States Navy Model 1852 Pattern, and is marked U.S.N. on the blade, as well as on the hand guard. The brass mounts on the scabbard and around the bottom show Sea monsters and twisted rope knots for the hanger loop bolsters, as is required for this Pattern. The slim blade is fully etched and nickel plated, and is only marked on the ricasso:
A. SHUMAN
& Co.
BOSTON
MASS.
We are not sure of the actual age of the sword, in that these were produced for well over 75 years. However the 3/4″ wide straight blade indicates early 20th century manufacture, and possibly this sword could have been in service as late as WWII.
The hilt is standard heavily sculpted brass with ray skin grip secured with brass wire. The guard basket is embossed with Oak leaves and acorns and displays the letters U.S.N. on a banner. All the brass was then gold washed/gold plated. The pommel shows an eagle surrounded by 13 Stars.
The blade is in excellent shape but is somewhat loose in the hilt. The plating is well retained, however there is an area about 4 inches long close to the tip where the plating is missed, and the blade is now stained.
The Sword even comes with its original Portepee (Sword Knot) attached to the sword’s pommel. The Scabbard is in mostly good shape, but has a break all the way through about 9 inches below the bottom, which was covered with tape in a makeshift repair.
A very nice example of an early 20th century U.S. Navy officer’s sword.
Specifications:
Overall length: 37 ½”
Scabbard length: 31 ¾”
Blade length: 30 ¾”
Handguard: 5” wide x 6 ¼” long
Weight: 2 lbs. 2 ¾ oz.