Sword
- Object Name:
- Sword
- Object ID:
- 2014.010.02
- Place of Origin:
- United States
- Date:
- circa 1862
- Description:
- Sword, U.S. Navy Sword Model 1852, with scabbard. Used in Civil War by George Washington Gordon (1834-1864) of Allenstown, NH, Captain in 2nd New Hampshire Regiment. Double fuller steel blade, brass hilt and butt, and twisted gilt wire wrapped rayskin grip. Wide fuller is 21.875" ricasso to point and narrow fuller is 15.5" centered near back of blade. "JC" engraved on blade at ricasso, obverse side. Pierced oak leaves and "U.S.N." on guard; sea-serpent motif and scales on knuckle bow; sea-serpent motif quillon; Phrygian style helmet pommel, butt plate missing. Floral decorations, fouled anchor, ring of stars, and shield etched on obverse and reverse sides of blade. Floral spray etched on back of blade. Black leather scabbard with brass throat, middle band, and tip; coiled rope pattern suspension bands and sea serpent design at drag.
A. Sword
B. Scabbard - Material:
- Steel
Brass
Leather - Dimensions:
- L-35 inches
- Provenance:
- George Washington Gordon was born February 2, 1834, the son of Joseph Quincy Adams and Lydia Fowler (Hayes) Gordon. Educated at Alden Partridge's Gymnasium and Military Collegiate Institute in Pembroke, Gordon married Angeline Streeter on September 18, 1854. He worked in Boston trying to earn enough money to buy a farm, when the Civil War broke out. He returned to enlist in the 2nd Regiment for three months, first on April 22, 1861. He then reenlisted for three years on May 22, 1861, and was commissioned Sergeant Major on June 10, 1861. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on July 29, 1861, and 1st Lieutenant on July 8, 1862. Wounded at the Battle of Bull Run, Gordon was appointed Captain of Company I on September 1, 1862. Gordon was wounded again on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg and killed on June 3, 1864, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia.
This collection of objects and letters was assembled and kept by Angeline Streeter, the widow of Capt. George W. Gordon. The objects were carried by Capt. Gordon during the Civil War. - Credit Line:
- Gift of Jane L. Gordon in memory of the George E. Gordon family of Suncook, N.H.
- Subjects:
- Civil War, U. S. Navy, Swords, Armament, Weapons
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