EXCEEDINGLY RARE SIGNED AMERICAN NAVAL OFFICERS SILVER HILT SWORD BY LEMEUL WELLS, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1795

THIS IS THE ONLY SIGNED, AMERICAN MADE NAVAL OFFICERS SILVER HILT SWORD OF THE FEDERAL PERIOD (CIRCA 1795) KNOWN TO EXIST!! Lemeul Wells was listed as a jeweler, goldsmith and silversmith as early as 1790 on Broadway in New York. The superb craftsmenship of this sword could only be accomplished by a very talented silversmith. The deeply fluted ebony horn grip has been carved with a high mid ridge to fit the hand, and then wrapped with a wide silver concave ribbon in 12 spiraling turns. Cut and set into the knucklebow just above the slotted counterguard is a carved silver fouled anchor. The 27 1/2" curved blade has a broad shallow fuller extending its entire length. The sword also retains its original embossed leather scabbard with silver mounts, a rare survivor. This rare and historic sword dates to the mid 1790's and is most likely the sword of one of the first American Naval Captain's of the newly formed Federal navy. Six Captain's were commissioned in 1795 to oversee construction of the six new frigates that were to be built. Three were put on hold and three were built: The CONSTITUTION, The CONSTELLATION and The UNITED STATES. This sword may well have belonged to one of these Captains, possibly William Bainbridge. An rare opportunity to own a piece of American Naval History!