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Historic Sword Attributed to Jean Lafitte, French Pirate and Privateer.. ...
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Description
Leader of the Baratarians.
Historic Sword Attributed to Jean Lafitte, French Pirate and
Privateer.Approximately 33-inches with a curved blade; an overall length of 36 1/4-inches.
With neoclassical head on hilt guard, cast brass guard and butt. Top section of blade is blued and gilt [9-inches] with engravings. Checkered ivory handle grip. Heavily decorated brass-plated scabbard with raised individual motifs. 6A marked in red [over a gilt decoration]. Spine with unidentified mark.
Jean Lafitte was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. According to research, by 1805, Laffite was operating a warehouse in New Orleans to distribute goods smuggled by his older brother Pierre Lafitte. In 1812, the United States and the United Kingdom went to war. For a legal pardon related to the Embargo Act, Lafitte and his men helped Andrew Jackson defend the city during the War of 1812, known as the Battle of New Orleans.
Provenance/Paperwork included; 1) Book titled: Sword and Firearm Collection, The Society of the Cincinnati / Founded 1783. Published by the The Society of the Cincinnati, 1965. In the chapter regarding EIGHTEENTH CENTURY SWORDS, pages 28 and 29 [PLATE SW3 with has b&w image of sword], mention the sword and history; Discussion: "This sword was purchased by Mrs. Larz Anderson in 1916-from the Armand Hawkins Co., New Orleans, La. The original note in our files, dated 4 April 1916 , states. . . ."the sword is supposed to have belonged to Lafitte, the Pirate, and was purchased today by Mrs. L. Anderson. We also have been informed by Mr. Denis that the sword originally belonged to his grandmother. The sword was purchased by Mr. Armand Hawkins some years ago.". . . . . ."buccaneer, about whose earlier life nothing authentic is know, was the leader of a colony of pirates and smugglers located on the Baratarian Coast, south of New Orleans, from 1810-14.". . . ."The sword came into the possession of the Museum when Anderson House was turned over to The Society of the Cincinnati in 1938"
2) Photocopy of newspaper article, [dated December 28, 1957] JEAN LAFITTE'S BLADE ON DISPLAY, The Times-Picayune with an image of four executives holding the sword; "AT THE CABILDO FRIDAY, A SWORD and scabbard said to have been those of Jean Lafitte are received by William H. Dorfman (third from left), chairman of the board of managers of the Louisiana State Museum. From left are Dr. Henry Ogden, representative of the Society of Cincinnati, which is lending the swrod to the museum; Sidney L. Villere, president of the Society of the War of 1812, State of Louisiana; Dorfman, and Hugh M. Wilkinson Sr., who also represented the Society of Cincinnati.". . . ."The weapon and its embellished scabbard will be on display until Jan. 8, when it will be exhibited at the Grand Military Victory ball sponsored by the 1812 society at the New Orleans Country Club celebrating Lafitte's heroic service at the Battle of New Orleans on Jan. 8, 1815, Villere said."
3) Photocopy of original bill of sale on Armand Hawkins Co., The Oldest Art Antique House in the South, dated April 4, /16, "purchased from us today by Mrs. L. Anderson is supposed to have belonged to Lafitte, the Pirate, we have also been informed by Mr. Denis that the sword originally belonged to his grandmother. . . . The sword was purchased by Mr. Armand Hawkins some years ago."
4) Another photocopy of a handwritten note, appears to be a translation of the bill of sale from the Armand Hawkins Co. shop, item 3 above, worth mentioning, on the upper right hand corner of this note is marked 6-A (we mentioned earlier in the description that there was a 6A marking in red on the actual blade).
5) Three page article on Jean Lafitte printed from the internet. Called Jean Lafitte: Gentleman Pirate of New Orleans by Joseph Geringer [Pirate and Patriot].
6) Another photocopy of different newspaper article and photograph, this time five executives holding the sword and scabbard, also from 1957, "A SABER AND SCABBARD once wielded by pirate and patriot Jean Lafitte will be on display at the Louisiana State Museum at the Cabildo until Jan. 8. Looking over the sword loaned by the Society of Cincinnati from the Anderson House Museum collection in Washington, D.C., are, from left, H.H. Dorfman, museum chairman; Hugh Wilkinson, Sr., Society of Cincinnati; Beale Howard Richardson, IV, Society of the War 1812; Sidney L. Villere, president of the Society of the War of 1812; and Dr. Henry Ogden, Society of Cincinnati."
Condition: Good for its age. Bluing and gilding on top part of blade good with 70-80%; balance of blade with a bright finish with scattered patina throughout. Handle and furniture good with age wear and handling. Sword [handle and blade] appears to have been repaired/glued at some point from detachment. Scabbard with numerous bumps and bruises, while retaining a nice mellow patina turning dark. Moderate bend to throat of scabbard. Collection of a Southern Gentleman.
Auction Info
2023 June 19 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6271 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2023
19th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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