Light artillery saber and scabbard

1849

Place madeMassachusetts, United States, North America

Steel, brass, leather; steel

Overall: 38 7/8 x 5 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. ( 98.7 x 14 x 3.2 cm )

Gift of Mrs. Augustus Van Horne Ellis

1942.151ab

According to the accession records, this sword and four others donated by Mrs. Augustus Van Horne Ellis were used in the Battle of Gettysburg by members of the Ellis family: Colonel Augustus Van Horne Ellis and Julius Livingston Ellis, who were killed in the battle, John Stoneacre Ellis, Henry Ashfield Ellis, and Samuel Claudius Ellis.

DescriptionSaber with curved, single-edged steel blade with a broad fuller extending from ricasso to within 7 inches of point; brass hilt with grip covered in leather and wrapped with twisted wire; heavy, four-sided knuckle-bow, narrow counter-guard, and curved quillon with fisk finial; helmet-shaped pommel with domed oval top and no surface decoration; steel scabbard with two carrying rings and slightly asymmetrical drag.

Markingsstamped: on obverse of blade near hilt: "US / WD" stamped: on reverse of blade near hilt: "AMES MFG. CO. / CABOTVILLE / 1849"

ClassificationsMILITARY TOOLS & EQUIPMENT: SWORD