108 BULLETIN 16 3, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



SWORD OV/NED BY ADMIRAL DAVID G. FARRAGUT 



The museum collection contains two presentation naval swords 

 of the period of the Civil War of very great interest. The most 

 notable of these is a sword *'' presented to Admiral David G. Far- 

 ragut in recognition of his services during the Civil War, and re- 

 markable for its beauty and dignity of design. The blade is of 

 medium size with a wide shallow groove on each side. The obverse 

 is decorated in silver chasing on a gold background with the letters 

 " U. S.," the United States coat of arms, a figure of Fame, a naval 

 trophy, and various floral and scroll designs. The reverse is dec- 

 orated in a similar manner with a naval trophy inscribed "E Plur- 

 ibus Unum," a naval monster, and various floral and scroll designs. 

 The grip is covered with silver plate decorated with 13 grooves 

 wound with silver gilt wire. The pommel is designed in the form 

 of a Phrygian helmet, the front of which bears a large anchor with- 

 in an oak wreath. The rim is encircled by a row of 13 diamonds set 

 in blue-enamel stars, and upon the top stands an eagle with out- 

 stretched wings. The guard consists of a circular strip encircled 

 by oak sprays, which expand into an oval plate at the blade, the ob- 

 verse of whicli bears the monogram " D. G. F." outlined in diamond 

 chips on a background of blue enamel, the whole being flanked by 

 sprays of laurel. The scabbard is silver mounted and bears three 

 heavy mounts of silver gilt, two of which bear anchors flanked by 

 oak sprat's in high relief. Between the two appears the inscription, 

 " Presented to Kear Admiral David G. Farragut by the members 

 of the Union League Club as a token of their appreciation of his 

 gallant services rendered in defense of his country. New York, April 

 23, 1861." This sword was presented to the National Museum in 

 1917 by the estate of Loj^all Farragut. 



SWORD OWNED BY REAR ADMIRAL CHARLES WILKES 



A second sword of importance in this connection in the National 

 Museum collection is one that was presented to Rear Admiral Charles 

 Wilkes, United States Navy. In general type and design this 

 sword ** is similar to that of the regulation naval sword of the 

 period, but it is of finer workmanship and the decorations are of an 

 ornate character. The obverse of the blade is decorated in gold and 

 silver chasing with a view of the arrest on the high seas of the Con- 

 federate commissioners, James M. Mason and John Slidell in 1861 ; 

 on the left appears a city and on the right the standing figure of 



**' Length, 97.8 cm. Blade, 79 cm. long, 2.7 cm. wide. Inscribed " Collins & Co. 

 Hartford, Conn. 1862 and Tiffany & Co., N. Y." PI. 31, fig. 5. 



^5 Length, 95.5 cm. Blade, 76 cm. long, 2,8 cm. wide. iHscribed " Shrrve Stanwood 

 & Co., Boston." PI. 31, flg. 4. 



