This is a full scale replica of General George Washington’s sword, the one that is on display in the Smithsonian Museum. This replica is placed in the ‘jewelry’ section because of the intricate wax carvings I created for the sword’s smaller components. I worked in conjunction with Mark Marrow of ‘Morrow’s Blade & Blacksmith Shop’. Mark was responsible for forging the blade, carving & dying the handle creating the scabbard and final assembly. For my part, I sculpted in wax the receiver cup for the scabbard, the decorative ‘guard’ and the bottom cup for the handle.

The General’s sword;

 

The completed replica;

After contacting the Smithsonian’s head of the armory dept., I was allowed full and un- restricted access to the actual sword. The sword was pulled from the public display case and waiting for me to document it when I arrived at the museum! Donning a pair of cotton gloves, I measured, photo documented and hand drew the entire sword. It was an awesome experience for a student of history and a Revolutionary War reenactor.

Images of the real sword;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking a close look at the sword, you can see that the guard has been bent and possibly repaired at one point. The detailing on the bottom cup of the handle has been almost worn completely away. I had to make a ‘best guess’ as to the detailing when re-creating this part.

I started with the guard, as the other pieces had to fit around this part. The guard needed a slot through the center to allow for the tang of the blade to pass through. I started with a block of machinable wax, milling it to the basic dimensions of the part. I them milled the slot through the center for the tang. The small block in the images is a part I milled the dimensions of the slot to check the final size. it also served as a means to hold onto the part without damaging areas I had sculpted while working on other sections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final cast & polished piece;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The receiver cup for the scabbard was carved and detailed first, then milled for the tang slot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I regret I have no images of the handle cup being created. That was a last minute addition to the parts I was asked to make. Mark was originally going to create that, but his engraving would not have matched the look of the carved and cast parts I created, so I created that part.

Images of the assembled replica;

 

 

 

This sword was commissioned by the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. The sword will be carried by the reenactor who portrays General Washington at the annual Crossing reenactment on Christmas Day. It will also be carried during other functions such as press appearances, fund raisers and the like.