 |
 |
 |
Silver Hilted American Officer’s Saber Attributed to Colonel Charles Mynn Thruston.
Philadelphia School, Possibly I. Kucher, ca. 1798-1810.
This saber features a curved 33 ½ inch blade with clipped point and 9 ½ inch false edge. One side is engraved above the hilt with panoply of arms over E. Pluribus Unum, a Federal eagle and the date 1783. Reverse is engraved and gilt “Liberty and Independence.” It also features an unmarked silver stirrup hilt comprising a down-curving quillon, knucklebow and single outboard guard with five ball panels, large pommel in the form of a plumed helmet. The grip is ribbed, one-piece elephant ivory. It is also complete with silver-mounted scabbard including the throat fitted with suspension ring and frog stud, its central mount with suspension ring and chape. All parts are decorated with incised lines. Also offered is statement of family provenance by owner attributing sword to Colonel Charles Mynn Thruston of Revolutionary War fame (see note below).
Condition: Blade with even dark patina showing some minor pitting and retaining generous traces of gilt finish. Grip with fine patina and some age cracks. Scabbard features professional restoration by noted craftsman Jim Brown. Brown also straightened bent silver guard which is apparent in “before” photographs accompanying the written provenance.
Note: Charles Mynn Thruston, 1738-1812, was known as the Warrior Parson from his part in the Revolutionary War. He attended theological school at William and Mary College and was ordained by the Bishop of London in 1765. He served as an Episcopal minister in Gloucester County and Frederick County, Virginia. He also served as a Lieutenant under Colonel William Byrd in the 1758 Forbes expedition against the French and Indians. As a prominent Virginian he was on very good terms with George Washington and was a close friend of Washington’s cousin Warner. Before the Revolution he was a leader in repelling the attempt to introduce the Stamp Act in Virginia and was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1776 Parson Thruston threw aside the gown, and seizing the sword, raised a volunteer company, composed of the elite of the young men of the county… He joined Washington in New Jersey. In March of 1777 Washington wrote to the Governor of New Jersey: Captain Thruston with the 3 Volunteer Companies from Virginia…had an engagement near Piscataway…the Captain was much wounded in the arm… Later Washington appointed him Captain Commandant of three companies being raised in the Winchester area. He commanded them until the wars end. Between 1782 and 1788 he represented Frederick County in the Virginia House of Delegates. He never returned to the ministry but spent his remaining years farming. In 1808 he moved to New Orleans where he bought a plantation on which he was buried when he died in 1812. In January of 1815 the Battle of New Orleans was fought upon his plantation.
Price $23,000.
|
|
|