Wonderful Circa 1785-1795 American Eagle Pommel Officer's Hanger. Mounted in brass, the sword represents a merging of several regional details often noted in these swords. The 25 1/4" slightly curved blade of 18th century configuration, with a narrow deep fuller along the back edge and a shallow fuller running open to the tip. The blade exhibits a few scattered spots of light pitting, and some very minor nicks with the tip slightly rounded, the balance smooth and gray. The blade retains what appears to be the original leather washer. The guard is 4 1/2", quillon to quillon, with two branches and decorative line engraving on the top of the quillons. The somewhat fragile guard exhibits a few readily restorable bends but absolutely no cracks or breaks. The guard exhibits absolutely no signs it ever mounted a knucklebow or chain guard. Swirl carved bone grip with deep dark patina and a few age hairlines but perfectly sound. There is a 3/16" plain brass ferrule at the base.

The wonderful primitive brass eaglehead with a small 'target' eye, widely opened mouth with incised line decoration around the edge, and noteworthy concave detail across the top of the beak. The sword is fabricated without a capstan. The bottom of the head incorporates in integral 1/8" ferrule like base that fits over the top of the grip. There is a small hole on the underside of the eagle's beak implying it originally mounted some form of knuckle bow, however, there is no question this is simply the result of a 'stock' casting and this sword never mounted a knucklebow of any form. The sword is overall completely untouched and exudes the particular charm and quaintness reserved for these early, primitive eagle pommel swords representing the American sword maker's transition to the new national symbol.

A great 18th century American sword.