Original Vietnam War Era U.S. Marine Corps Officer's Mameluke Sword by Wolf-Brown with Scabbard
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Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice Vietnam War era issue USMC Officer's Mameluke sword, complete with its original scabbard, in very good condition. The sword features lovely ivoroid grip scales that are still in great condition, with no yellowing, cracks, or chips. Sword alone is approximately 33 5/8“ long overall and in scabbard is approximately 35“ overall. Blade is approximately 27 1/2" long, slightly curved, and unsharpened.
The Spanish-made blade is stainless steel and has been etched on both sides with UNITED STATES MARINES and various other military motifs, including the "Eagle, Globe, and Anchor" emblem of the U.S. Marine corps.
The original white felt blade washer is present and has kept the blade tight to the hilt. The blade ricasso is etched with the Wolf Brown trademark:
STAINLESS
WOLF-BROWN
(Wolf-Brown Logo)
W.B.
MADE IN SPAIN
Due to the large chappe of the Mameluke, it is unfortunately not possible to picture all of this marking. The reverse ricasso is etched with the standard 6 pointed star with PROVED inside, and under this is APPR 404, most likely a model or stock number.
Overall condition is excellent, with just a bit of oxidation and verdigris on the brass components of the handle. Scabbard is very good condition, with both of the original hanger rings, as well as the brass throat. There is a bit of nickel plating loss and oxidation on the steel body of the scabbard.
A great looking USMC Mameluke Officer Sword, ready to add to your collection!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 27 1/2"
Blade Style: Single Edged Sword with Fuller
Overall length: 33 5/8“
Crossguard: 5 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 29 5/8"
Marine Corps history states that a sword of this type was presented to Marine First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon by the Ottoman Empire viceroy, Prince Hamet, on December 8, 1805, during the First Barbary War, in Libya, as a gesture of respect and praise for the Marines' actions at the Battle of Derna (1805). Upon his return to the United States, the state of Virginia presented him with a silver-hilted sword featuring an eaglehead hilt and a curved blade modeled after the original Mameluke sword given to him by Hamet. Its blade is inscribed with his name and a commemoration of the Battle of Tripoli Harbor.
Perhaps due to the Marines' distinguished record during this campaign, including the capture of the Tripolitan city of Derna after a long and dangerous desert march, Marine Corps Commandant Archibald Henderson adopted the Mameluke sword in 1825 for wear by Marine officers. After initial distribution in 1826, Mameluke swords have been worn except for the years 1859–1875 (when Marine officers were required to wear the U.S. Model 1850 Army foot officers' sword), and a brief period when swords were suspended during World War II. Since that time, Mameluke swords have been worn by Marine officers in a continuing tradition to the present day.
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