Dragoon / Artillery officer's bird head saber with fire-blued blade. ca 1810-1815. 

30 1/2 in. single-edged curved blade with 22 3/4 in. fuller. Blade featuring gold-washed engraved panoplies of arms and foliate designs with significant fire bluing. 

Cast brass handle with knuckle bow and quillon. Carved bone grip. 

Gilt brass scabbard with two suspension rings and early rope. 

Known as "bird head" or "bird's head" swords, they "do not specifically exhibit a bird's head, but have a unique shape to the pommel and backstrap which resembles the outline of a bird's head." (Furr, p. 37). Made between 1805 and 1830, they were carried by Artillery (including Mounted Artillery) and sometimes Cavalry, and are typically referred to as Dragoon sabers. Employed extensively by these units during the War of 1812. 

This example is typical with ribbed bone grips and a fire-blued blade creating a brilliant blue finish with gold-washed etchings enhancing the artwork. 

References: 

Clegg Donald Furr. American Swords & Makers' Marks. Orange, California: Paragon Agency, 1999. pp. 37-38, nos. 55 & 56.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[War of 1812, James Madison, Battle of Lake Erie, Battle of Plattsburgh, Fort McHenry, Battle of New Orleans, Treaty of Ghent, Andrew Jackson]