blade: 31 1/4 in x 1 1/8 in; 79.375 cm x 2.8575 cm
scabbard: 32 3/4 in x 2 3/4 in; 83.185 cm x 6.985 cm
overall, scabbard: 5/8 in x 2 7/8 in x 32 5/8 in; 1.5875 cm x 7.3025 cm x 82.8675 cm
overall, sword: 1 1/4 in x 5 1/2 in x 38 3/8 in; 3.175 cm x 13.97 cm x 97.4725 cm
Object Name:
Sword
sword
Other Terms:
Sword; Edged Weapons; Presentation
Place Made:
United States: Massachusetts, Chicopee
Referenced:
United States: Texas, Brownsville
Mexico: Nuevo León, Monterrey
Date made:
ca 1846
Description:
Sword: This presentation sword, given to Colonel John Garland, has a straight, double-edged blade with a narrow and shallow groove that runs along its middle. The front and back are decorated in silver gilt with floral sprays and military trophies. The obverse of the blade also features a liberty cap. The grip of the sword features alternating vertical strips of mother of pearl and gold metal. The gold portion features a scroll design, and the strips of mother of pearl are set with gold bolts. The middle bolt on the pearl strip on the obverse is set with a severely damaged yellow stone. The pommel of is an eagle perched on top of the grip and holding a metal chain in its mouth. The chain acts as the knuckleguard and connects to one of two quillons. The quillons are decorated with palm leaves and engravings of weaponry. There is no counterguard on this sword, but there is a langet, which features small, flat medallion in between the quillons. The medallion bears an engraving of a soldier standing atop another soldier and holding him down with a spear, and there is also a liberty cap.
Scabbard: The scabbard has three gold mounts. The top mount bears a medallion with a coat of arms, surrounded by scroll designs. The middle mount features the profile view of a man on a medallion, surrounded by scroll designs, and the third mount solely consists of scroll designs. There are multiple engravings on the scabbard itself, including an eagle at the top, an inscription in the middle, and military trophies and scrolls on the bottom. The sword has three carrying rings, two of which are attached to either side of the top mount, and the third attached to the middle mount.
