Sword

Object Name:

Sword

Object ID:

1907.014.09

Creator:

Ames Manufacturing Company -- Manufacturer

Place of Origin:

Chicopee, MA

Date:

1852

Description:

Sword. Naval Officer's Sword, Model 1852. 27.5" slightly curved blade; wide fuller extending 19" from ricasso; narrow fuller at back of blade. Gilded brass hilt; fish skin covered wood grip with twisted gilt wire wrap; oak leaf decorated Phrygian helmet pommel capped with relief cast of American eagle surrounded by thirteen stars; single knucklebow, in shape of dolphin head at juncture point with pommel; dolphin head shaped quillon; solid counterguard; single branch with pierced letters "USN", oak leaves, and acorns. "Ames Mfg, Co, / Chicopee / Mass." etched on blade near ricasso, obverse side; "1852" stamped on ricasso, obverse side. "T.W.W." (for Thomas W. Wyman) surrounded by 31 stars, fouled stocked anchor and Federal shield, and array of trident, axes, pikes and U.S. flag etched on blade, obverse side. "P / R.B.H." stamped on ricasso, reverse side (R.B.H. was inspecting officer Lieut. Robert B. Hitchcock). "U.S.N." in banner, an American eagle with half-sunburst on top of carronade gun on a Naval truck, fouled anchor, and floral decorations etched on blade, reverse side.

Scabbard: leather with gilded brass throat, middle band, and tip; two carrying rings, one at throat and one at middle band; metal rings that secure carrying rings resemble knotted ropes; dolphin cast drag; "AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS." stamped at throat, reverse side.

Material:

Metal
Tissue

Dimensions:

W-1.1 L-33 inches

Provenance:

The U.S. Navy issued this sword in 1852 to Captain Thomas W. Wyman, who was in command of the Portsmouth Navy Yard. Upon his death in 1854 it passed to his son, Lieutenant Robert H. Wyman, who went on to command several vessels during the Civil War. He died in 1882 with the rank of Rear Admiral.

Part of a collection of artifacts gathered by Thomas W. Wyman (1793-1854) and his son, Robert H. Wyman (1822-1882). The artifacts were bequeathed to the Society by Florence M. Wyman (1861-1907), the widow of Thomas W. Wyman (1856-1903), the son of Robert H. Wyman.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Florence M. Wyman

Subjects:

Civil War, Swords, Armament, Weapons, Military uniforms, Dolphins, Knots & splices, Eagle, Oak leaves