AK AND HI MUST WAIT FOR AN INVOICE BEFORE PAYING. RARE USN 1870 SHORT BOARDING SWORD GGS ARMORER’S INITIALS, WITH LEATHER SCABBARD. This is a U. Navy 1870 dated boarding sword which would be worn when boarding vessels during battle or in vessel inspections. Having a short length it is less likely to be hindered by rigging lines and other deck obstructions when wielded. The blade is double edged with a central fuller. The guard/grip unit is solid brass. The blade has a gray patina from being in the leather scabbard but there is no rust. The scabbard is leather with brass throat and tip and each is attached with four brass rivets. The sword still has the seating pad where the scabbard meets the hilt which is either leather or felt. The markings on the ricasso are worn but definite USN GGS and 1870. GGS is the US military inspector’s initials George G. I took a photo through a magnifying glass to try to get a good picture but in hand it looks better than the photos. With the eye one can clearly see most of the lettering and date. A loupe shows more outline of the letters and much more is visible. Sword slides in and out of the scabbard easily with a slight snug when the ricasso is seated. This is a very rare sword. With plenty of Civil War swords available not many swords were being made in 1870. MARKINGS ON RICASSO IN THREE LINES. 25 3/4 OVERALL SWORD. SWORD IS IN VERY FINE CONDITION WITH NO RUST OR DAMAGE. BLADE HAS ORIGINAL SHARP DOUBLE EDGES WITH NO RESHARPENING. NO EDGE NICKS ON BLADE AND IT HAS A VERY SHARP POINT. BRASS GRIP/GUARD IS EXCELLENT WITH NORMAL WEAR. BLADE SLIGHTLY DARK FROM THE LEATHER SCABBARD TONING AND HAS A GREAT PATINA. RICASSO MARKINGS ARE WORN AND DID NOT PHOTOGRAPH WELL BUT READABLE WHEN HELD TO THE LIGHT. BRASS GRIPS SHOW WEAR FROM LONG USE. SWORD RETAINS ORIGINAL FELT OR LEEATHER SCABBARD CUSHION. SCABBARD SHOWS AGE WITH CRACKS BUT IS INTACT. ALL SCABBARD STITCHING IS INTACT. BRASS SCABBARD THROAT AND BRASS SCABBARD TIP ARE TIGHT WITH EACH HAVING 4 TIGHT BRASS RIVETS. AN EXCELLENT RARE ORIGINAL EXAMPLE NOT MESSED WITH. The item “RARE USN 1870 SHORT BOARDING SWORD GGS ARMORER’S INITIALS, WITH LEATHER SCABBARD” is in sale since Wednesday, December 25, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Edged Weapons”. The seller is “spudcakes” and is located in Semmes, Alabama. This item can be shipped to United States.
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