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Dress sword

French
about 1777-1778
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France

Medium/Technique Metal; Steel
Dimensions Overall: 90.8 x 10.8 x 8.4 cm, 13.5 oz. (35 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 3 5/16 in., 0.84 lb.)
Credit Line Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. Collection
Accession Number1993.451
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope

DescriptionA sword, the handle made of silver. The guard is formed of two kidney-shaped panels of pierced fretwork, each centered on a military trophy in an oval reserve with garlands of laurel, a fluted border, and an animal mask at the top. The base of the hilt, the center, the handle and the knob are all chased with similar trophies in an oval reserves against pierced fretwork with garlands and masks.
Marks "F. H. H."
InscriptionsWarden's mark: "O" for 1774-81.
Discharge Mark: for small work, 1775-1781: a monkey's head (Dennis 137): wheregrip meets guard.
Other: partially obscured mark on guard under handle. "346
Provenance1961, puchased by Elizabeth Parke Firestone (b. 1897 - d. 1990) and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (b. 1898 - d. 1973), Akron, OH and Newport, RI; 1993 [see note 3]; gift of the estate of Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., to the MFA. (Accession Date: May 26, 1993)