{"product_id":"original-vietnam-war-era-u-s-marine-corps-officers-mameluke-sword-with-knot-by-japan-sword-with-scabbard-captain-b-j-nichols","title":"Original Vietnam War Era U.S. Marine Corps Officer's Mameluke Sword with Knot by Japan Sword with Scabbard - Captain B.J. Nichols","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice Vietnam War era issue USMC Officer's Mameluke sword, complete with its original knot \u0026amp; scabbard in good condition. The sword features lovely ivoroid grip scales with some cracking on one side. Sword alone is approximately 35 1\/2“ long overall and in scabbard is approximately 31 3\/4“ overall. Blade is approximately 30\" long, slightly curved, and unsharpened. This example is named on the blade to \u003cstrong\u003eCaptain B.J. Nichols\u003c\/strong\u003e, a Marine officer we have so far been unable to identify.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is stainless steel and has been etched on both sides with \u003cstrong\u003eUNITED STATES MARINES\u003c\/strong\u003e along with the name \u003cstrong\u003eCapt. B.J. Nichols USMC\u003c\/strong\u003e and various other military motifs, including the \"Eagle, Globe, and Anchor\" emblem of the U.S. Marine corps. The ricasso is marked with the logo of \u003cstrong\u003eJAPAN SWORD\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is great, with a bit of oxidation and verdigris on the brass components of the handle. 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 but is not properly secured and does have some material loss, with bits of leather falling off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great looking USMC Mameluke Officer Sword, ready to add to your collection!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 30\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged Sword with Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 35 1\/2“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 5 1\/4”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 31 3\/4\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarine 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43233499611205,"sku":"ONSV25VCD059","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25VCD059__02.jpg?v=1753722651","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-vietnam-war-era-u-s-marine-corps-officers-mameluke-sword-with-knot-by-japan-sword-with-scabbard-captain-b-j-nichols","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}