This extremely rare Revolutionary War sword belonged to Col. Jonathan Pettibone of the 18th (Connecticut) Regiment.
Inscribed with his name, this sword is set to go on display at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia beginning in 2018.
Experts note that it is unusual for Revolutionary War swords to have the name of the original owner inscribed on the weapon. The sword also bears the mark of its maker, silversmith Joseph Copp of New London, Connecticut.
“With the rare maker’s hallmark, and considering who owned it and the history it probably saw, this sword is truly one of the most fascinating Revolutionary War weapons I have ever seen,” said Dr. Philip Mead, chief historian and director of curatorial affairs at the Museum, in a statement.
The Museum received the sword Wednesday from donor B. Owen Williams of Maryland, a descendent of Pettibone.
“As a family, we are delighted that the Museum will provide a home for this article, where it should be, in an exhibit to be seen by the many visitors who come to the Museum from all over,” said Williams, in the statement. “I’m thrilled that it has survived in remarkably good condition despite my youthful exuberance and blissful ignorance to play with it surreptitiously as a boy.”
After Pettibone’s death the sword was passed on to his son Jonathan Pettibone Jr., who also served in the Revolutionary War.
In an interesting side note, Pettibone’s tricorn hat is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.