RARE AND IMPORTANT AMERICAN HORSEMAN’S SWORD, FEDERAL PERIOD

C.1800 of a pattern which evolved directly from Revolutionary war examples. Made for a state militia cavalry unit before 1808 and undoubtedly served in the War of 1812. Brass hilt with slotted P form guard and wire wrapped leather covered grip made without wire wrap. 33” broad fullered hand hammered blade with transverse tool finish to the right side.  Old preservative over scattered light oxidation and clear lamination indicating wrought iron composition. The workmanship and character accord In detail with the handmade swords of the Revolution. The style, most significantly, the recurved knuckle bow, suggests slightly later manufacture. That feature was evolving in French Napoleonic swords and fully developed by the 1808 government contracts. Prior to 1808, state militias supplied their own weapons of which this is one. Patterns varied and very few examples identifiable to that period exist. It is likely that most state militia swords were repurposed Revolutionary War swords. After 1808, the government supplied weapons to the militias.