An unusual variation of a typical foot officer's saber that measures 26 3/8″ overall, and has a shortened 20 1/2″ single-edged blade that has both wide and narrow fullers. The blade now has a fairly blunt point (it was shortened by about 4″ or 5″ at some point in the past), and has an overall mottled gray-black patina with scattered areas of brown oxidation on both the obverse and reverse. The brass hilt retains traces of the original bright gilt finish on protected areas with the balance tarnished to a dark brown-ochre patina. The spiral horn grip is intact, as is the original copper band wrap, and the grotesque lion pommel has typical large capstan. The counterguard is a highly unusual variation that has twin rows of piercings flanking the grip ferrule in two rows of ten. A nearly identical sword is illustrated as #140.S in Swords & Blades of the American Revolution by George C. Neumann; 1973 (p. 108). This is a handsome 18th century sword, and is a good example of the type of short sabers used by infantry officers on both sides during the Revolution.
