{"product_id":"original-u-s-vietnam-war-marine-corps-kia-officers-mameluke-sword-with-knot-alfred-bayard-russ-kia-january-13-1968","title":"Original U.S. Vietnam War Marine Corps KIA Officer's Mameluke Sword with Knot - Alfred Bayard Russ, KIA January 13, 1968","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an exceptional identified Vietnam War U.S. Marine Corps Mameluke officer’s sword belonging to \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst Lieutenant Alfred Bayard Russ\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, an infantry officer with \u003cb\u003eCompany I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division\u003c\/b\u003e, who was \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ekilled in action in Quang Tri Province on January 13th, 1968\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. His name, \u003cb\u003eAlfred B. Russ\u003c\/b\u003e, is etched directly into the blade. The sword retains its ivoroid grip scales, officer’s sword knot, stainless steel etched blade, and complete scabbard, and remains in excellent overall condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRuss served in Vietnam with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. On January 13th, 1968, Company I personnel were providing security for an engineer convoy on Highway 9 near Ca Lu Airfield in Quang Tri Province when the force came under a major enemy ambush involving mortar and small-arms fire. During the action, vehicles carrying ammunition were hit and explosions followed. Russ was killed by fragmentation wounds caused by a hostile explosive device.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sword has developed a gorgeous patina over the years. The Mameluke sword is a very iconic edged weapon with roots in the Marine Corps going back 219 years to the First Barbary War. This example is etched on the blade with \u003cb\u003eAlfred B. Russ\u003c\/b\u003e, for Lieutenant Alfred Bayard Russ, who was KIA on January 13th, 1968.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is stainless steel and has been etched on both sides with \u003cb\u003eUNITED STATES MARINES \u003c\/b\u003ealong with the name \u003cb\u003eAlfred B. Russ \u003c\/b\u003eand various other military motifs, including the \"\u003cb\u003eEagle, Globe, and Anchor\u003c\/b\u003e\" emblem of the U.S. Marine corps. The spine is etched with \u003cb\u003eUSMC SERIAL NO. 323\u003c\/b\u003e, something we have never seen before. The front spine is etched \u003cb\u003eGERMANY\u003c\/b\u003e, so this is a German-made blade. The ricasso is marked with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSTAINLESS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHH\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTRADEMARK\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHILBORN\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHAMBURGER\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eINC.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNEW YORK\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMADE IN\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSOLINGEN\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGERMANY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese markings identify the sword as a Solingen-manufactured blade retailed in the United States by Hilborn-Hamburger Inc. of New York, a firm well known for military uniform accessories and ceremonial swords during the mid-20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is great, without any serious wear. Scabbard is in very good condition, with both of the original hanger rings, as well as the brass throat. The knot loops through the hole on the pommel and is in overall great shape with some minor wear, though it should be handled carefully as it is fragile leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlfred Bayard Russ was a native of Ridgewood, New Jersey. He went to schools in Andover, Massachusetts, and Middlebury, Vermont. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966 and had been in Vietnam for a year. He was enrolled in the USMC Platoon Leader program at his college and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. He had been at the front for only two weeks as executive officer of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. Lt. Russ requested combat duty after having served several months with a Military Police unit outside of Da Nang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis online memorial can be found \u003ca href=\"honorstates.org\/profiles\/296047\/\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marine Corps Mameluke sword carries one of the longest ceremonial traditions in the American armed forces. Its association with the Corps traces to First Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon and the Battle of Derna in 1805, after which the Mameluke form became closely identified with Marine officers. The pattern was formally adopted for Marine officers during the 19th century and, with a period of interruption, has remained a defining symbol of commissioned Marine service. Official Marine Corps historical material continues to identify the Mameluke as the traditional sword carried by Marine officers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfficial casualty records identify Russ as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, born November 3rd, 1943, with a home of record in Peterborough, New Hampshire, and killed on January 13th, 1968. His name appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 34E, Line 45.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its “Alfred B. Russ” blade inscription, Hilborn-Hamburger maker markings, ivoroid grip, surviving officer’s knot, complete scabbard, and direct connection to a Marine infantry officer killed in action in Vietnam, this is a deeply significant identified Marine Corps artifact. It would form an important centerpiece in a collection devoted to the Marine Corps, the Vietnam War, or identified Mameluke officer swords.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications:\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 32 5\/8\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged Sword with Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 38 3\/8“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 5 3\/8”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 35 1\/8\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45584558850117,"sku":"ONJR26JYHG102","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/A95FEDC4-20DD-4EAF-B20E-40D4411547F8.jpg?v=1787342440","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-vietnam-war-marine-corps-kia-officers-mameluke-sword-with-knot-alfred-bayard-russ-kia-january-13-1968","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}