#Colonel Marinus Willett

[shewhoworshipscarlin]

Colonel Marinus Willett, 1800.

[armthearmour]

A lovely silvered and gilt Congressional presentation Smallsword with a blue and gilt blade, presented to Colonel Marinus Willett, attributed to C. Liger, Paris, France, ca. 1785-1786, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One of ten swords awarded by the Continental Congress. It was presented to Colonel Willett for his actions during the Battle of Oriskany on August 6th, 1777 when he led a sortie out from Fort Stanwix and plundered the nearby native and Tory camp of Sir John Johnson. His force suffered no casualties, earning him the weapon.

[mostly-history]

Congressional Presentation Sword and Scabbard of Colonel Marinus Willett (Paris, 1785 – 86).  Made of steel, silver, gold, fish skin, textile and wood.  The sword is 100.6cm long, and the scabbard is 84.5cm long.

The Continental Congress (the governing body of America during the American Revolution) awarded ten “elegant swords” to officers for meritorious action against the British during the war.  The swords weren't made until 1785 – 86 because of a lack of funds.

C. Liger, a sword cutler & associated with one of the best fourbisseurs (sword retailers) in Paris, made the swords.  The decoration was partially prescribed by the Congress – it includes the US coat of arms on one side of the grip, and an appropriate presentation inscription on the other.

These congressional swords were the first in a long tradition of awarding specially-designed presentation swords to American military leaders throughout the next century.

[the-met-art]

Congressional Presentation Sword with Scabbard of Colonel Marinus Willett (1740–1830) by C. Liger, Arms and Armor

Medium: Steel, silver, gold, fish skin, textile, wood

Bequest of George Willett Van Nest, 1916 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/22631