Manufactured c. late 18th century to early 19th century. This pattern of sword were especially popular from the Federalist Era through the Age of Jackson and continued to see use into the Mexican-American War, often being seen with eagle head pommels and extensive American patriotic motifs. This very attractive example is somewhat more scarce, in that it lacks the eagle head pommel. There are no visible maker's marks, though the presence of langets suggests it is of German manufacture for the American market. The hilt is gilt and shows extensive relief chiseled oak leaves and clusters, ferns and strings of "pearls" around the serpentine knuckle guard, and stars and stripes ovals on the langets along with the Latin motto "PARTA TUERI", which loosely translates to "protect what has been won". The presence of 15 stars on the langets may suggest that the sword was manufactured c. 1792-1796, between the admission of Kentucky as a state and before the admission of Tennessee. The grip is carved antique ivory. The curved blade has wide, deep fullers on both sides as well a nitre blue and gilt panels etched with floral motifs and panoplies of arms. Includes a gilt brass scabbard that is engraved with large flourishes of floral scroll and an American eagle between the two hangers. It measures approximately 35 1/4 inches overall.

Very fine, the blade is almost entirely bright and retains most of the nitre blue and gilt finishes with some scattered light spotting and most of the etching remaining crisp. Most of the gilt finish on the hilt remains. There is a minor crack and light edge chip in the attractively aged grip. The scabbard is fine with most of the gilt finish remaining, some scattered minor dents/dings, and crisp engraving.