✅ SOLVED Need help identifying old sword hilt with griffin on it.

dave_e · Oct 4, 2016

Dug this at an 1830's home site where I found a 1778 1/2 reale, some 1800's items, and some early 1900's items too.

It looks like a sword/knife hilt with the tip broken on one end. Also feels and looks like it might be brass. It's very heavy for its size.

Can't find anything online about the griffin on the sides.

It's actually cooler in person than it looks in the pics.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

DCMatt · Oct 4, 2016

If found in Virginia it is probably cursed - like anything else around here associated with "Griffins".

I suggest you get rid of it or you will be traded to Cleveland, get divorced, get injured, and likely end up selling luxury cars next fall.

DCMatt

Seriously... Cool find. Fraternal? Maybe Polish military? I'm still looking...

dave_e · Oct 4, 2016

Ha!! Thanks DCMatt, I live 1 hour from Cleveland.

On a different forum a member said it was actually an "outstretched winged eagle" and not a griffon. Griffons have a lions back-half.

I'm kinda of old, but I'm still new to this stuff.

Back-of-the-boat · Oct 4, 2016

It is either an Eagle or a falcon not a Griffin as a Griffin does have the back end of a lion so that gives it four legs in total.Two on the chest and two hind legs.It's funny they spell griffin three different ways.But they all are the same.I thought it could possibly be the Pheonix but the tail is wrong.

Deftone · Oct 5, 2016

I came across this one.

The website wants you to register and pay a monthly fee to view stuff. oldswords.com. Suggested it was used in the war of 1812 and used well into the Mexican wars.

dave_e · Oct 5, 2016

Wow Deftone. Thanks a lot! There are so many targets at that site, and it's only 1/2 mile from my work. The owner said I can detect whenever I want, but the property is currently up for sale so I need to hit it hard and be thorough before it goes to a new owner.

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DCMatt · Oct 5, 2016

Deftone said:
I came across this one. The website wants you to register and pay a monthly fee to view stuff. oldswords.com. Suggested it was used in the war of 1812 and used well into the Mexican wars.

Awesome ID Def!

Here more pics at a non-pay site. It also says 1810 - 1820 US Officer's sword.

WAR OF 1812 EAGLE-HEAD OFFICERS SWORD.

DCMatt

Deftone · Oct 5, 2016

Now that's a nice sword. Good one Matt! Good luck on your future hunts dave.

dave_e · Oct 5, 2016

Going back after work tomorrow to look for other pieces of it!

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Riggleman · Oct 6, 2016

I think you may have found the rest of my sword! I found this hilt piece last spring up here in west virginia. Its copper with gold plating. Look up 1812 artillery officers sword. I think it may be a variant of the sword, there are a few styles. And like others said its an eagle. The early eagles looked a little meek and scrawny. They were used in the CW also. Heres a link http://arms2armor.com/Swords/1812lart.htm

Riggleman · Oct 6, 2016

Here is anouther variant a little closer to what you have

dave_e · Oct 6, 2016

Thanks Riggleman, but it looks like DCMatt and Deftone identified the exact sword that my hilt came from. One more hour and I'm headed back to look for more it it.

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