AN AMERICAN GOLD-MOUNTED WAR OF 1812 EAGLE POMMEL PRESENTATION SWORD, FLETCHER & GARDINER, PHILADELPHIA, DATED 1828

straight lightly-fullered blade with clip point, the blade etched with panels of martial and nautical designs, including a trophy of flags, cannons, an anchor and a trident, the panapoly-of-arms with a naval engagement of three vessels, a long panel with an American eagle holding a riband inscribed "E PLERIBUS UNUM / CONSTITUTION / CYANE & LEVANT / FEBRUARY 20TH, 1815" and the reverse with presentation inscription "PRESENTED BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO / Lieut. Henry C. Ballard, March 1828 as the / reward of Patriotism and Valor.", mounted with gold hilt with Eagle Pommel surmounting a grip decorated with naval motifs, Hercules and Neptune, the knuckle-guard sits atop a shell-guard cast with an American Eagle and Stars over a display of naval arms and anchor, the guard with American agle finials, with original leather-bound scabbard with three gold mounts, the top with Naval Fouled Anchor, the middle with Neptune in his chariot, and the bottom with dolphins and a trident

Jackson/Gillooly, January 1998

SAM American Sampler, 2002-2005
Fletcher and Gardiner 2007 no. 53

Donald L. Fennimore and Ann K. Wagner, Silversmiths to the Nation: Thomas Fletcher and Sidney Gardiner, 1808-1842. Winterthur: Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, 2007, no. 53, pp. 186-7, title page.

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

From Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography:
BALLARD, Henry E., naval officer, born in Maryland, in 1785; died in Annapolis, 23 May 1855. He was the son of Major Ballard, of the revolutionary army; was appointed midshipman 2 November 1804; lieutenant, 26 April 1810; master, 27 April 1816, and captain, 3 March 1825. He was a lieutenant on board the United States frigate "Constitution" in her famous action with the British cruisers "Cyane" and "Levant" in the bay of Biscay, 20 February 1815. After the capture of both vessels by the "Constitution" he was placed with a prize crew on board the "Levant" and took her to the Cape Verde islands, but was captured by a British squadron in Porto Praya, in defiance of the neutral flag, whose protection he claimed.

This is one of three swords ordered from Fletcher & Gardiner in 1828 by the state of Maryland for heroes from the War of 1812; the other two were for Joseph Cross (Maryland State Archives collection) and Lieutenant Isaac Mayo (Butterfield & Butterfield, Historic American Swords, November 20, 1989, lot 6149).  This sword is described in letters between Fletcher and the secretary for Governor Daniel Martin.

The sword was presented to Ballard in the council chambers in Annapolis in 1829, when Governor Martin stated:
"On you sir, is bestowed the richest reward the patriot asks, the gratitude and applause of his countrymen, of which this sword is intended to be a testimonial."
Ballard responded:
"It will be a source of lasting gratification to reflect that for an achievement in which I bore an humble part (and in which many of the brave sons of Maryland participated,) the legislature of my native state, has bestowed upon me, a vote of thanks and this sword.  I accept and shall preserve it, as the most valued gift of my generous country men."

'Small Arms of the Sea Services,' Colonel Robert H. Rankin, USMC (ret)