52 BULLETIN 16 3, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



LeClerc by the Lafayette Guards of New York in 1851. The blade 

 is similar in shape and design to the one just described, with double 

 edge and a narrow central groove. The decorations, however, are 

 of an exceptional character. These consist of two military trophies 

 on each side flanked by a very fine and exquisitely executed network 

 design. The grip is 4-sided, and the top and bottom are faced with 

 gilt strips each decorated with two narrow, parallel, horizontal 

 grooves. The sides are faced with plain tortoise-shell stripes, and 

 the brass pommel is vase-shaped with a sphinx head on each of the 

 four sides. The knuckle guard consists of a slender brass strip 

 decorated with floral and oak-leaf designs and a coiled serpent. The 

 quillon above the blade is of similar workmanship. A small rec- 

 tangular shield between the grip and the quillon on the obverse bears 

 the reclining figure of Mars, and on the reverse a similar design. 

 A large shield or counterguard on the obverse of the blade is com- 

 posed of gilt openwork with a female figure in the center surrounded 

 by floral designs and miniature men-at-arms. The scabbard, which 

 is of brass, is entirely covered on the obverse by floral and scroll 

 designs of art, industry, and war. The reverse is engraved near 

 the hilt in four lines : " Presente au Capitaine Louis LeClerc par les 

 Gardes Lafayette, New York, 24 Feb. 1851." This sword was trans- 

 ferred to the National Museum in 1923 by the Military Service 

 Institution of the United States. 



SABER OWNED BY BRIG. GEN. GEORGE W. MORGAN 



A presentation saber of the Mexican War period of great historical 

 interest in the Museum collection is one ^^ presented by citizens of the 

 State of Ohio to Brig. Gen. George W. Morgan, United States 

 Volunteers. The blade is typical of the Cavalry saber of the period 

 in its general shape, with a deep curve and a wide shallow groove 

 running the entire length. The obverse is decorated in silver chas- 

 ing with a trophy consisting of a cannon, drums, a quiver of arrows, 

 a United States shield, the United States coat of arms, and two 

 floral sprays. The reverse is decorated in the same manner with a 

 liberty cap surrounded by a sunburst, a trophy, and two floral sprays. 

 The grip is 4-sided and silver plated, the top and bottom decorated 

 with grooves. The obverse side of the grip bears a gold panel en- 

 graved in five lines : " San Francisco, Contreras, Churubusco. Pre- 

 sented to Colonel George W. Morgan by citizens of Ohio as a testi- 

 monial of their regard for his distinguished military services during 

 the War with Mexico." The reverse side is engraved with an eagle 

 displayed above the United States shield and various scroll designs, 



"Length, 97 cm. Blade, 81.5 cm. long, 3.1 cm. wide. Marked "Ames Mfg. Co,, 

 Cabotville, Mass." PI. 9, fig. 3. 



