Presentation Sword and Scabbard
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
General Alfred Howe Terry
(1827 - 1890)
ManufacturerManufactured by
Schuyler Hartley & Graham
(American)
Date1865
MediumSteel, brass, silver, gold
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall length): 40in. (101.6cm)
Other (blade length): 33in. (83.8cm)
ClassificationsWeapons
Credit LineGift of Robert P. Hughes
Object number1907.6.0a-b
DescriptionDouble edged straight blade with a flat center ridge running the length of the blade. The blade is etched in gold, on the plain background of the blade, with (top to bottom); floral sprays, the letters US in a monogram, an eagle sitting on a shield with a banner that reads "[E] [P]LURIBUS / UNUM" (the E and P are blocked by olive branches), floral sprays, a knight holding a spear, floral sprays, a plain band etched with "SCHUYLER / HARTLEY & / GRAHAM / NEW YORK," and "COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN" on the obverse side. The reverse side is etched with (top to bottom); floral sprays with a snake weaving amongst them, war trophies, scrolling floral design, a Union Officer holding a flag in one hand and a sword in the other followed by floral scrolling. The hilt is gilded brass with the counter guard on the obverse side featuring a pierced scrolling design and turned down towards the point. The quillon terminates in a wide scrolling finial at the rear, and in a scrolling disk finial at front, which has a small loop attached to it, to attach to the counter guard. The knuckle bow consists of interlocking circlular rings, that are doubled, and is connected to the pommel by a small ring located at the top of the figures plumed helmet. The handle is silver and gold gilded brass, and in the shape of a Roman boy soldier holding a short sword in his right hand and a large shield in his left. He is wearing a lion’s pelt over his shoulder, with the face of the lion appearing on the boy’s chest. The pommel is the plummed helmet of the boy, with the plumes’ at the very top actually being the rivet that secures the tang of the blade. The scabbard is silver plated with two bands of brass, and a tip and drag also of brass. The top two bands are identical, with the lone exception of the fact that the top band has two carrying bands to the lower bands one, and feature a scrolling floral and leaf design that pierced on the sides for the carrying rings. The tip is similar with the addition of a center design of oak leaves and acorns in high relief, with the drag being a scrolling pattern. Engraved on the scabbard between the two bands is the inscription "PRESENTED TO / Major Gen. Alfred H. Terry, (old English) / BY THE / City of New Haven. / 1865"
Status
Not on view
