US Navy Officers Sword with Knot & Photos……….SOLD

US Navy Officers Sword & Knot to Ensign Arthur Saxe 1917

The Sword.

The weight of the Sword would be comparable with a British Navy levee or dress sword.  Overall length in scabbard 35″ from end to end.  Unsheathed 34.3/4″ Single edged Blade length 29″.  Width of blade at ricasso 3/4″.  Single fuller.  The sword and scabbard are in excellent condition.  The blade is bright and polished with etched nautical designs on both sides. Spear pointed with etched designs for three quarters of its length.   There is no corrosion on the blade.  The edges are not damaged in any way therefore it seems untried.  The grip is pale ray-skin wrapped with a tight twisted gold finished wire.  The guard, hilt and pommel are all brass finished in gold.  NOTE:  Much of the original gold finish is intact but not cleaned – this should only be undertaken by a specialist in the field.

The scabbard is in a similar condition and comprises of stitched black leather with gold fittings.  Once again the condition is excellent with intact stitching along the back and three fittings, the throat,  the mid band and the drag all neatly attached over.  The whole item dates from the first World War period.

 The Hilt:

In wonderful untouched condition.  Strong hints of original color remain in unexposed areas. The pommel consists of an Eagle design surrounded by stars on top, and at the sides where it covers the edge of the binding, an intricate floral wreath.  The hilt is actually quite dirty as if lent on by a worn leather glove.  The grip is of pale ray-skin, bound with twisted gold wire – both would also benefit from cleaning.  The knuckle bow terminates at the hilt in an elaborate scaled sea monster.  The naval gold braid knot and its band is tied around the hilt and bow, mostly obscuring  the sea monster, consequently the gold finish on it has survived very well.  The bow sweeps down into a half shell pierced guard which terminates in a curved quillion in the form of a monster’s head.  The pierced guard is mostly made up of a floral design with acorns on the inside.  On the outer it has the U.S.N.  banner.  Once again the gold has survived very well on the outer face.  On the outer face of the guard is a white leather washer where the scabbard meets the hilt.

The Blade:

Once again in fine condition with no imperfections. Etched with naval moteifes. If held pointed forward at arms length the designs are as follow.  Proof mark stamped in relief “PROVED”  /  signed to the Officer who purchased it “ARTHUR C.SAXE”. /  stars and stripes shield on fouled anchor /  USN naval banner.  On the other side, the ricasso is signed “J.A. / FREDK HORS / PHILA,PA”  followed by American Eagle on cannon / detailed fouled anchor / “U.S.N. banner / rope knot.”  There are no losses, all the designs are intact. Beyond the fuller on both sides the point extends a further 8.3/4″.

The Knot:

In darkened used condition and usual naval construction with navy blue interior. Passing through the knuckle bow laterally and wrapped around the same two or three times.  Intact with a few stray ends but, on the whole dirty but complete.  It gives the distinct impression it has not left the sword since the day it was purchased.  It must have been a fine moment collecting this sword from the retailers.

The Scabbard:

As mentioned above the scabbard is within a quarter of an inch longer than the sword blade.  Of fine construction with the leather stitched down the rear from top to bottom. The three brass fitting finished in gold are fixed by a single plain rivet.  The throat has the coiled rope ‘supporting’ the top carrying ring.   At the front of the throat the initials of the officer are engraved in an entwined fashion “A C S ”  There is some evidence of rubbing over the initials.  The central band has the coiled rope ‘supporting’ the carry ring. The drag at the base is the most interesting with a superb sea monster curled around the base, making up the drag.  Every scale is visible.  This is the dirtiest part of the scabbard and probably the most effectively protected portion of the whole thing.

Provenance:

Offered with the sword are two interesting photographs.  Firstly and most obviously the sword and the scabbard have stayed together with indications to the owners name in the form of the initials and the name on the blade.  The first photo is framed and measures approximately 8″ x 10″.  It is of Arthur C Saxe in his uniform with the very same sword at his side.  It is fairly obvious that the grip of the sword is considerably cleaner.

The second photo is very interesting and shows the ships company of the U.S.S. Ohio dated 1917.  They are arranged over the entire deck with men sitting of the Ohios’ mighty guns and in nearly every conceivable nook and cranny of the giant ship.  Ensign Saxe is picked out in the second row by ink pen.  It really is a splendid photograph and must have taken a fair time to set up. This particular photo measures 12″ x 20″.  The photo is physically starting to deteriorate where it appears to have been inappropriately stored – large cracks are forming.  The original may have to be reproduced.  On the rear of the photo there is an ink inscription; “Ensign Arthur Cook Saxe  /  Officers and crew  / U.S.S. Ohio / August 1917.”  On the  picture side the same is repeated, along with the indication as to where Arthur is seated.

The U.S.S. Ohio at the time the photo was taken was serving in reserve as a training ship having previously sailed the world in what became known as “The Great White Fleet” – a show of strength that was meant to show the Japanese American capabilities at sea.  She was sold for scrap in 1922.

This is a fantastic sword with good provenance which deserves far more research.

£ 750……..SOLD

 

 

 

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