Presentation 1902 Army Off Saber

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Gents,

 

I thought I would show off a presentation 1902 Army Officer Saber that is dated 1946.

 

 

This sword has no maker mark but I believe it to be a Lilley-Ames. Here is a closeup of the eagle on the obverse blade. This distinctive eagle is the one usually found on US made 1902 swords, particularly those etched by Ames.

 

 

Closeup view of the etched presentation to Richard L. Endres from the Washington Lions Club in 1946. I believe this to be Warrant Officer Richard L. Endres who enlisted from Illinois in 1942.

 

 

Closeup view of the grip. This particular grip is black painted wood as would be proper for a 1902 Officer sword manufactured in 1946. The hilt is nickel and has a distinctive oval pommel cap that acts as a tang screw.

 

 

Closeup view of the drag on the scabbard. Notice the drainage hole on the reverse of the scabbard next to the drag. This is distinctive of Lilley-Ames swords from this time period.

 

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Here is a comparison of a Lilley-Ames marked 1902 Officer Sword from the 1931-1951 time period. Notice the etched eagle on the obverse blade. The remaining etching details nicely correspond to the etching on the Endres sword shown above. This is a sword from ebay.

 

 

Here is a closeup view of the Lilley-Ames Co. maker marking on the ebay sword.

 

 

The oval pommel cap on the Lilley-Ames sword matches the unmarked Endres presentation sword.

 

 

The drain hole in the scabbard of the Lilley-Ames sword also matches the Endrres presentation sword.

 

 

From this little bit of detective work, I conclude that both swords were manufactured by Lilley-Ames.

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An example of the bullion dress uniform knot that was worn with the 1902 Officer sword.