The Allen family lore tells a plausible, if improbable, tale; the antique sword is an heirloom that has been carried by one generation to the next going all the way back to its original owner - Ethan Allen. Specifically, the founder of Vermont, Revolutionary War patriot, and politician Ethan Allen, who lived from 1737-1789.
Detail of hilt and handle, left
Detail of hilt and handle, right
Inarguably the sword is a family heirloom. The current caretaker of the sword shared that there is a joke as to whether grandpa was telling the truth or making up the entire story, but either way after having a child they named Ethan, it seemed time to have the sword in his care. The sword had spent years changing hands within the family, and was ready to be professionally examined and treated for the next generation.
Structurally, the sword arrived in generally stable condition with some areas of wear that are consistent with its age. However, the surface of the metal was significantly corroded along the blade and cleaning residue was present on the handguard.
Senior conservator Stephen Ryan determined that the best course of treatment would be electrolysis, a “technique that consistently delivers good results,” to remove corrosion from the surface of the sword’s blade.
The sword is prepared for the electrolysis process.
The alkaline solution before the electrolysis process.
The alkaline solution after the electrolysis process.
The electrolysis process involves placing the metal in a weak alkaline solution. Then, a low electric current is run through the solution. A battery charger was attached to the blade, and the other to a sacrificial anode (a piece of steel), removing the rust from the blade. It is VERY important that this is only performed by an experienced professional; if the charger clips are attached incorrectly, more damaged will be caused to the metal. The technique left the blade with a very attractive gun metal blue patina, which then only needed a coat of wax to achieve the right surface sheen.
The sword immediately after the electrolysis process.
After the electrolysis process was complete, the handle and hilt of the sword were cleaned with conservation cleaning methods, and the surface was waxed to achieve the appropriate patina.
Detail of the handle and hilt after treatment
Detail of the handle and hilt after treatment
While the provenance of the sword is still being researched, one critical piece of information was found - it appears to match the swords carried by American Civil War foot officers. The handle and hilt appear consistent with Civil War swords, putting the tale of Ethan Allen ownership into question. However, the research is far from finished. Cleaning revealed the makers mark and inscriptions that could place the blades maker in Europe and not America, so the owner is planning to consult with an appraiser who can make that determination. While the Ethan Allen history remains up in the air, one thing is for sure - this sword still has a story to tell!
Makers mark and inscriptions revealed after electrolysis.
