Patriotic Sword

I’ve made my share of mistakes over the years, and I’m willing to share this one for your information and amusement.

When I bought this sword online about 15 years ago, the seller of this sword didn’t know its age or history. I recognized it as the same sword pictured in “American Swords and Sword Makers” by Richard Bezdek as a “Militia noncommissioned officer sword, c. 1850-1870”. Further, there is a maker’s mark of a walking bear, which was the symbol used by Abraham Kuller zu Wald 1847-1880, who exported his swords to the North during the Civil War. Slam-dunk identification, right? I snatched it up.

When the sword arrived, I noticed another mark on the blade, partially hidden by the eagle crossguard that read “MADE IN GERMANY”. The various Germanic states did not unify to become the nation of Germany until 1871. Worse, the US did not require imports to be marked in English with their place of origin until 1890. Further research found a source that says a walking bear was also used by one of the Weyersburg family of sword manufacturers in the late 1800s to early 1900s.

So, who actually used this sword? Another collector says the “The American Fraternal Sword” by Hamilton, Marino & Kaplan IDs this as an Odd Fellows degree team sword. I don’t have access to that reference, but I am skeptical that this sword was specifically designed for use by the Odd Fellows, because it has none of the fraternal symbols I’d expect. I think these swords were generic enough to be available to anyone from a catalogue up until after the turn of the century. Who would buy them? Military academies, veteran’s groups, patriotic societies, and of course militias and fraternal organizations. I suspect that Bezdek’s book shows an earlier example, since he could not have missed the “Made in Germany” clue.

The fluted sword grips are bone. The pommel and guard are blackened metal. The pommel has the American Eagle and shield on one side and floral designs over the rest. The guard has a nicely rendered eagle grasping the US shield in its talons, over a spray of laurel leaves. The reverse has a panel with the shield alone and floral embellishments. The plain 27 ½ inch blade is elliptical in cross-section with dull edges. The scabbard is red leather with blackened pierced floral mounts. The top mount on one side incorporates an American eagle in typical 19th century slim wing style. There is a piece of the mount missing under the eagle where I assume was a frog stud once attached.

I’ve held onto the sword even though it’s not Civil War militia, because I’m not 100% sure there couldn't also be a later militia/paramilitary/veteran's connection, and besides, it looks so cool!