Beschreibung:

According to the consignor and the letter accompanying this sword and dirk, they were found in a buckskin covered wooden trunk, in 1957, in an attic by the grandmother of Alfred H. Seibel, Jr., of North Merrick, New York. The grandmother told Alfred that the trunk had been passed down through the John L’Hommedieu family and was given to her when she was in her teens. The sword and dagger, when discovered, were wrapped in decaying linen cloth and the trunk was lined with newspapers dated 1801 and 1803. The sword measures 33 - 1/4" overall and has a bone (possibly whalebone) grip carved with a spiral design. The brass four slot guard also has another tear dropped shaped piercing in the knucklebow, as well as a flattened ball pommel with integral capstan. The 26 - 1/2" blade is probably English and is slightly curved, with a narrow partial fuller along the top on both sides. The sword is complete with its original leather scabbard, with a single brass mount fitted with an iron loop for hanging. The American dirk measures 14 - 1/4" overall with a 9 - 1/2" tapered straight diamond section blade, with a scalloped brass guard, brass pommel cap with capstan, and a brass ferrule at the base of the grip. The grip is bulbous and of walnut. John L'Hommedieu was a son of Captain Samuel L'Hommedieu, who, along with seven brothers, Benjamin Jr., Ephraim, Grover, Henry, Hudson, John, and Mulford, all served in the Suffolk County Militia, 1st Regiment of Minutemen, on Long Island. Samuel was a Captain under Colonel Josiah Smith, Suffolk County Militia, and fought in the battle of Long Island in 1776, along with his brothers. Since it was more common for officers to carry a saber, it is believed that the sword belonged to Samuel and not his son John, who was too young to serve in the Revolution. John ended up with his father's sword which in turn was stored in that deerskin trunk in New York. Samuel was born at Southold, February 20th, 1774. The Town of Southold is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York. It is located in the northeastern tip of the county, on the North Fork of Long Island. Samuel lived a long life and died at the age of 90 at Sag Harbor, Long Island, March 7th, 1834 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Bar Harbor, Suffolk County, New York. Samuel's wife Sarah (White) is also buried beside him. A photograph of Samuel's grave, as well as John's grave, is included. CONDITION: Blade retains a spotted grey patina, with some sharpening marks on both sides. Hilt retains a dark unpolished mustard patina, and bone grip is slightly loose and shows some age cracks and one minor chip below the pommel on the right side. Scabbard shows some losses to stitching and a crazed surface overall, with some minor losses at tip and on edge near tip. Dirk is very good, with a period repair at the tip. Blade retains a spotted grey patina. Brass is very dark and unpolished. Grip is excellent with a few scattered marks. Two very nice American Revolutionary War edged weapons. DMG Name Value Blade Length (A) 26 - 1/2" (B) 9 - 1/2" Overall Length (A) 33 - 1/4 (B) 14 - 1/4" Paperwork Provenance