Maker of Sword

[Clsinclair]

I have an 1850 Staff Officers Sword and where the makers mark would be it has the words Mintzer over Philad. Does anyone know if this is the maker or inspector?

Thanks,
Claude Sinclair

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Maker of Sword

William G. Mintzer took over his father's business in 1839 on Philadelphia's North 3rd Street. He was pretty well-established in military goods, particularly hardware and buttons, also making coach lace, fly nets, and fraternal lodge items. He died in 1869, and the business was sold to R.M. Robinson.

[Clsinclair]

Re: Maker of Sword

Marc,

To your knowledge did William G. Mintzer make swords?

Thanks,
Claude Sinclair

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Maker of Sword

From what I can determine, he did. His mark is known to appear on swords such as yours, and he wasn't a government inspector. Not much is known about his actual manufacturing facilities, so if he didn't actually make them, he was at least responsible for their resale and distribution.

[John-Owen Kline]

Re: Maker of Sword

I have an 1850 Staff Officers Sword and where the makers mark would be it has the words Mintzer over Philad. Does anyone know if this is the maker or inspector?

Thanks,
Claude Sinclair

Is there anything engraved on the ridge of the blade near the ricasso? Colonel William Lamb's 1850 SOS (with the U converted to a C) has no marks other the Soliegen script on the ridge. I own a '61 dated Tiffany & Co '50 Field Officers Sword with a Soliegen helmet (C R Kirshbaum) marked blade.

There are however quite a few books that go into greater detail than I am able to right around the corner at the public library (or I-LL).

[Clsinclair]

Re: Maker of Sword

There's nothing engraved on the ridge. I did talk to Tom Nardi who restores, sells, and purchases swords about fifteen minutes ago and he advises that Mintzer made swords and that the one I have is scarce.

Thanks for all your help.

Claude Sinclair

[John-Owen Kline]

Re: Maker of Sword

Mr. Sinclair,

I’m not doubting or contradicting your conclusions. I just want to be sure that I understand this. Mintzer forged blades and scabbards, cast the guards and mountings and carved and wrapped the handles in shop or did he assemble them using goods from other contactors made specifically for his customers and to his standards? The former would be surprising for an apparently small producer and the later would not diminish the importance of his rare work (or the value of your sword or your research).

Is it a field grade or presentation sword? Is the blade engraved or etched?

Did Mintzer have any government contracts?

[Clsinclair]

Re: Maker of Sword

Mr. Sinclair,

I’m not doubting or contradicting your conclusions. I just want to be sure that I understand this. Mintzer forged blades and scabbards, cast the guards and mountings and carved and wrapped the handles in shop or did he assemble them using goods from other contactors made specifically for his customers and to his standards? The former would be surprising for an apparently small producer and the later would not diminish the importance of his rare work (or the value of your sword or your research).

Is it a field grade or presentation sword? Is the blade engraved or etched?

Did Mintzer have any government contracts?

It is etched with Mintzer over Philad at the bottom. No other letters except US in the center on one side of the blade. It is field grade and not a presentation sword. The Eagle and US is faint but still visible. Tom Nardi states that a Mintzer sword is scarce and he has a Foot Officers Sword made by Mintzer. I am sorry that I can't be more specific. The only hits I had for Mintzer was for his button making.

Claude Sinclair

[ScottCross]

Re: Maker of Sword

W. G. Mintzer is listed in Peterson's book, "The American Sword: 1775-1945" (Considered by many to be THE authority on US made swords), as "Cutler or dealer in swords, Philadelphia, during Civil War."