Beschreibung:

Historically important silver eagle-pommel cuttoe by Charles Hall Lancaster, Pennsylvania, carried by Captain Michael Whitely, Pennsylvania Militia, mortally wounded at White Marsh 1777. Hall’s 'CH/(rectangle)" touchmark appears on scabbard cap below the upper quillon. The sword is complete with scabbard and mounted in a shadow box with engraved Tiffany & Co. sterling silver plaque outlining the provenance and officer’s record: “This sword was carried by Captain Michael Whitely great great grandfather of William Fahnestock // Captain Michael Whitely, Seventh Company, Col Robert Elder’s Fourth Battalion, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Militia, was wounded and taken prisoner by the British at Chestnut Hill Battle of Germantown, December 6th 1777. Died several days later in Philadelphia at age 47. His daughter Martha married Isaac McKinley; his son Isaac G. McKinley was father of Margaret A. McKinley, mother of William Fahnestock.” PROVENANCE: Fahnestock family to William Guthman. Hall (1742-1783) worked as a silversmith in Philadelphia 1759-1762 and at Lancaster 1763-1783. A lieutenant in the Pennsylvania militia, he also held civil offices including Burgess and Agent for Confiscated Estates. Whitely (1730-1777) was commissioned Captain July 1777. White Marsh was fought December 5 to 8, 1777, as the British attacked Washington’s camp 13 miles outside Philadelphia after the fall of the city and Battle of Germantown. Whitely’s wounding and capture likely date to December 5, when 600 Pennsylvania Militia scouting the British advance at Chestnut Hill fought British light infantry, suffering about 40 casualties, including 24 captured. Two further days of maneuver and fighting decided Howe to return to Philadelphia. CONDITION: Excellent. Silver cast and chased eaglehead pommel with chain guard to eaglehead quillon finial. Spiral grooved bone grip, one narrow crack on underside and small chip at silver ferrule, but stable. Quillon block cast and chased with Wild Pig on reverse; Dog attacking Deer on obverse. Reverse-S crossguard articulated with feathers and second animal head as upper quillon finial. Scabbard cap has minor loss to rim. CH within rectangle visible on scabbard cap next to quillon block. Black leather scabbard with silver mounts in very good condition, slight waviness to leather at bottom and narrow seam opening on reverse. A significant eagle head sword in the transitional period from its use as predator on hunting swords to an American national symbol on military arms. Name Value Blade Length 30" Overall Length 36" Paperwork