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William C Champlin
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 Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2010 2:11 pm Post subject: Lifesaving service sword |
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Here's one I've had for a while. I initially thought it was a Michigan militia sword, but some research leads me to think it's a Lifesaving Service sword. Any thoughts? thanks, W
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tweetchris
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William C Champlin
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2010 6:50 pm Post subject: Lifesaving Service sword |
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It's Kirschbaum marked on one side and M.C.Lilley & Co. on the other. A nicely chased blade.W
tweetchris
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Scott Hrouda
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2010 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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There is a very similar sword here that's described as "Lt. Charles B. Gatewood's Life Saving Service sword". Your sword appears to be in much better condition.
...and that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana shaped. - Sir Bedevere
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M. Eversberg II
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2010 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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I've never heard of a "lifesaving service sword" before. Where's a reputable place with information?
M.
This space for rent or lease.
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Glen A Cleeton
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| Posted: Thu 04 Mar, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott Hrouda wrote: | | There is a very similar sword here that's described as "Lt. Charles B. Gatewood's Life Saving Service sword". Your sword appears to be in much better condition. |
While Snyder lists some items belonging to Gatewood, the sword linked in question is not of his estate.
I'll pull some other books to refresh but the pattern goes back before the 1860s, while this particular sword was made sometime between 1865-1882 If I have the marking right for Liley). The knight's bust mark puts it in that timeline as well. So, third quarter would be a better timeline estimate (for good ol Snyder)The basic pattern has been associated with the navy and what became the Coast Guard. I believe there is a very nice Life Saving museum at the entry area to Chesapeake bay (Maryland, iirc). The two parties did not form the current Coast Guard until 1915, so more of Snyder's blurb is a bit off. The Revenue Marine and Revenue Cutter Service go back to post revolution days and had other responsibilities.
Hi Mike, you may be near enough to visit the museum
http://www.discoverourtown.com/MD/Ocean%20Cit...-1683.html
I'm remembering another sword showing up but don't have the thread off the top of my head (SFI A&M).
Cheers
GC
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Glen A Cleeton
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| Posted: Thu 04 Mar, 2010 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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Here are the Liliey dates
LILLEY AMES CO.
Columbus Ohio 1951-1953
THE LILLEY-AMES CO.
Columbus Ohio 1931-1951
THE LILLEY CO.
Columbus Ohio 1925-1931 THE M. C. LILLEY & CO
Columbus Ohio 1882-1925
M. C. LILLEY & CO
Columbus Ohio 1865-1882
MITCHELL C. LILLEY
Columbus Ohio up to 1865
Other notes put the treasury dept organizing the Life Saving Service in/between 1871 -1878, so that would narrow the distribution of the sword to that timeline between 1871 and 1882 but there may have been lots of entire swords marked that way, with the scabbard coming along later.. As mentioned, the basic sword pattern itself pre dates the American Civil War.
Cheers
GC
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Scott Hrouda
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| Posted: Thu 04 Mar, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Glen A Cleeton wrote: | | While Snyder lists some items belonging to Gatewood, the sword linked in question is not of his estate. |
My mistake. Mr. Snyder's poor sentence structure on this page lead me to a false conclusion.
| Quote: | | "UPDATED! (22 March ) -- Content added and updated. Check out the Lt. Charles B. Gatewood Indian Wars Campaign presentation sword and Life Saving Service sword on the US Militaria page." |
...and that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana shaped. - Sir Bedevere
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This is a standard topic