Washingtons Headquarters State Historic Site

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This American silver-hilt hunting sword and scabbard was made by John Bailey at Verplank's Point, New York, sometime between 1775 and 1778. Bailey came to New York from Yorkshire, England, in 1755 and opened a shop with silversmith John Voule. He moved out of the city in 1775 after a British bombardment damaged his shop. Hunting swords or short hangers were popular with army officers, and this is an excellent example of a high-quality silver hilt with its green-stained ivory grip and silver chain guard. This sword is said to have been surrendered by a British soldier at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

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This American silver-hilt hunting sword and scabbard was made by John Bailey at Verplank's Point, New York, sometime between 1775 and 1778. Bailey came to New York from Yorkshire, England, in 1755 and opened a shop with silversmith John Voule. He moved out of the city in 1775 after a British bombardment damaged his shop. Hunting swords or short hangers were popular with army officers, and this is an excellent example of a high-quality silver hilt with its green-stained ivory grip and silver chain guard. This sword is said to have been surrendered by a British soldier at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.