NEW ACQUISITION CATALOGUING AND CONDITION REPORT

OBJECT (S): Two Swords, presumed to have belonged to Tench Tilghman, hereafter referred to as 4873-1 and 4873-2.

4873-1 DESCRIPTION: An eighteenth century style officer’s or gentleman’s sword with Italian grip (finger ring) and guard, as well as elaborate ‘two shell’ bells.

MEDIUM: Silver and steel

DIMENSIONS: 34 ¼" length, 2 ¾" diameter at scabbard

CONDITION: The sword is in an overall good condition. The sword tip is broken, but oxidation indicates that the tip has been missing for some time. There is a good deal of polish residue on the sword handle. It appears to be a water based polish and therefore could be removed quite easily. There is a small amount of rust at the blade juncture to the handle.

4873-2 DESCRIPTION: An eighteenth century style officer’s or gentleman’s sword with Italian grip (finger ring) and guard, as well as elaborate ‘two shell’ bells and gold inlay. On the fuller (blood groove) is inscribed:

"* IHN ** MINI **" [and similarly on verso of blood groove "IHN ** MINI **" On the scabbard throat is inscribed: "BIBB Newport Street" The sword retains a leather casing.

MEDIUM: Silver, steel, and gold

DIMENSIONS: 37 ¼" length, 3" diameter at scabbard

CONDITION: The sword is in excellent condition. There is a substantial amount of polish residue on the handle as well as a small amount of rust at the blade juncture to the handle.

PROVENANCE: The two swords descended in the Tilghman family to the present donor (Mrs. Judith G. Oates). It is said that the swords are those owned and used by George Washington’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman (1744-1786), from whom the donor is descended.

Examined by CEB 1/98