AMERICAN ARTILLERY OFFICER'S WAR OF 1812 SWORD BY E.RICHARDS & Co.

This American artillery officer's sword dates ca.1810. This style of scrolled decoration of the grip is often seen on American swords of that period.  E.RICHARDS & Co. is etched on the the blade's reverse. Stephen Richards of New York, a listed War of 1812 period sword retailer was in business of sword importation with his relatives on the other side of the Atlantic. The name E.RICHARDS could have belonged to one of his British cousins. Blade is 30.5" in length, decorated at the forte with floral motifs, liberty caps, federal shield with 13 stars, drums, crossed cannon. Some of the gold wash remains on the blade, and traces of silver are present on the hilt. Blade has some dark spots, but no pitting.