English Short Saber
As the dashing Hussars won acclaim from most northern continental countries in the mid 1700's, their uniforms and weapons were closely imitated. This included their light saber with a curved blade. It began to gain acceptance in England by the 1770's for both horsemen and foot officers. This short saber illustrates the characteristic backstrap, squared pommel, and stirrup guard - as well as an added side branch, and outboard guard extension to support it. Notice also the channeled ivory grip and typical curved double-fullered blade (marked "HARVEY").
Length: 30 1/4"
Blade 25" X 1 1/4"
Weight: 1.4 lbs.
Hilt: Iron
George C. Neumann, <em>Swords and Blades of the American Revolution</em>, (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 113. (155.S)
c. 1780-1795
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 352
English Horseman Saber
Fluting and pierced designs have been combined in this interesting semi-basket officer's hilt. Its knuckle bow's upper end is fastened to the pommel ring and adds three outboard branches plus a short inboard one as it descends to join the dished oval counterguard having spokes radiating to its outer circumference. The channeled grip, covered by shagreen (fish skin) is bound by a silver strip and two 3/8" ferrules. Its straight cut-and-thrust blade includes a short 6" back fuller and is marked "ANDRIA FARARA" (a common German forgery).
Length: 37 1/2"
Blade: 31 1/2 X 1 1/4"
Weight: 1.8 lbs.
Hilt: Iron
<p class="MsoNormal">George C. Neumann, <em>Swords and Blades of the American Revolution,</em> (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 153. (275.S)</p>
Circa 1760-1780
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 451
English Short Saber
A hollow ivory grip with a green dyed spiraled surface adds color to this slender iron'hilted sword. Its faceted olive type pommel secures the tip of a slender knuckle bow, which, in turn, divides near its base to form an outboard horizontal guard ring. The hilt is separated from its light cutting blade by an elliptical iron washer which was common for this pattern style. The blade here was slightly shortened at one time, but contains both a narow and wide fuller.
Length: 30 1/4"
Blade: 24" X 1"
Weight: 0.8 lb.
Hilt: Iron
<p class="MsoNormal">George C. Neumann, <em>Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, </em>(Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 112. (152.S)</p>
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 349
English Broadsword
Further simplification of the brass bilobate style is evident in this example. Although the triple tail at the knuckle bow's base is still present, only two branches remain on each side - with the lower one retaining the curved form of earlier days. Note the large brass ropes encircling the grip, as well as the ball pommel and separate capstan (both ferrules are replacements). Its double-edged straight blade includes a center ridge.
Length: 41 1/3"
Blade: 35 1/2" x 1 3/8"
Weight: 1.6 lbs.
Hilt: Brass
George C. Neumann, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 104. (129.S)
c. 1740-1760
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 327
Dutch Broadsword
This unique knuckle bow creates a right angle at each end, and a raised design at midpoint. Its quillon, too, has an unusual tripple disc terminal. Cord was spiraled around the wooden grip before covering it with leather to create channels for the double ropes of brass wire (two strands each) - twisted in opposite directions. The base ferrule is missing, but the cap pommel presents an interesting profile including a sloping capstan and crude horizontal reeding. Its straight double-edged blade has a median range, the Dutch East India Co. mark, and the date "1767".
Length: 38 1/2"
Blade: 33 1 1/2"
Hilt: Brass
Weight: 1.8 lbs
George C. Neumann, <em>Swords and Blades of the American Revolution</em>, (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 117.
c. 1767
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 367
Scottish Broadsword
The structure of this basket incorporates pierced designs showing interesting variations of key slots and stars. The segment tips in this case end at a center slot in the pommel (which does not encircle it entirely), and are not joined by a ring. Its long double-edged straight blade includes two 1/8" wide center fullers (10 1/2" long) which are inscribed "XX FERARA XX" on each side.
Length: 41 1/2"
Blade: 34 3/4" X 1 5/8"
Hilt: Iron
Weight: 2.6 lbs.
<p class="MsoNormal">George C. Neumann, <em>Swords and Blades of the American Revolution,</em> (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 141. (240.S)</p>
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 421
American Short Saber
Swords
A stirrup-type hilt is again present on this sword. Its ivory grip has a 3/4" ferrule at the base, and a cap pommel. The elliptical counterguard was apparently cut from a flat piece of brass; it has three decorative piercings opposite each side of the blade, including crude stamped decorative borders. Note the wavy edge on its outboard side, while the inboard surface is smooth (probably to decrease wear on the pants). Its American blade (uneven fuller; iron imperfection) has a single edge and one fuller (1/4" X 17 1/2").
Length: 30 1/3"
Blade: 26" x 1 1/4"
Weight: 1.0 lbs
Hilt: Brass
<p class="MsoNormal">George C. Neumann, <em>The History of Weapons of the American Revolution</em>, (New York: Bonanza Books, 1967), 262. (S.67)</p>
c. 1775-1783
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 383
English Hanger Model 1742
Sword
Infantry swords of this pattern are called Model 1742 because they are shown in illustrations of that date prepared for the Duke of Cumberland. It was probably in use for some years prior to that time. Several variations are known. This type has a brass hilt cast in two pieces (grip plus pommel; knuckle bow plus counterguard). A simple knuckle bow spreads into a heart-shaped counterguard with a raised border and center ridge. Its curved single-edged blade bears marks of Germanic origin.
Length: 29"
Blade: 23 1/4"
Weight: 1.1 lbs
Hilt: Brass
George C. Neumann, <em>The History of Weapons of the American Revolution</em>, (New York: Bonanza Books, 1967), 218. (S.2)
c. 1742
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 218
French Hanger
Sword
The design of this example is plainer, but it mounts a heavier curved blade and a fighting man's thumb ring. The white bone grip has spiraling grooves through which pass a single twisted copper wire rope. A true flat cap serves as the pommel. The original base ferrule at the other end has been lost. Its smallish cast brass shell guard slopes out away from the hilt more than usual, and the blade's fuller measures 3/16" x 17". A false edge is 4" in length.
Length: 29 1/4"
Blade: 25" X 1 1/8"
Weight: 1.2 lbs.
Hilt: Brass
George C. Neumann, "<em>Swords and Blades of the American Revolution,"</em> (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 83. (66.S)
c. 1710-1740
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
VAFO 272