One of only twenty known examples of its kind, thispre-Revolutionary War Dog-head Pommel Swordis a remarkable artifact of early American military history. The silver-mounted hilt is beautifully formed in the classic "dog's head" style, a motif associated with high-ranking colonial officers and popular in both Britain and the American colonies during the 1760s-70s. This is one of the most exceedingly rare silver-hilted swords from the Revolutionary War period,less than half of 1% of all swords made during the war featured silver hilts.
The crossguard bears a clear silver hallmark for 1770, confirming its pre-war production and British origin. While the blade itself is unmarked, the overall construction and silverwork indicate it was commissioned for a high-status officer, almost certainly carried into battle during the American Revolution.
Swords of this type were often private-purchase items, made for gentlemen-officers in the colonies who anticipated the need to defend their land and ideals. With hostilities escalating after the Stamp Act and Boston Massacre, many officers commissioned custom blades before the war formally broke out in 1775. Dog-head pommel swords were especially popular in the mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Surviving examples, especially those hallmarked and still retaining original fittings, are exceptionally rare and held in institutions like the Museum of the American Revolution and Smithsonian collections.
This piece is more than a weapon; it's a living link to the founding of the United States. It embodies the tension, privilege, and violence of colonial America on the cusp of revolution. For collectors of Revolutionary War relics, this is a tier-one acquisition.
Specifications:
Material: Steel Blade; Silver Hilt
Origin: England
Period: American Revolution
Provenance: Prominent American Revolutionary and Napoleonic Sword Expert and Collector Julian G.
Condition:
Very Good/Fine – Shows light to moderate wear, may have minor imperfections. A very fine example of the collectible. Collector Quality.
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