Navy Sword Source?

[Critter]

A friend is looking forward to a nephew graduating from the Naval Academy next year and wants to get him his sword and have it engraved by an engraver who has done some firearms for him, but so far all the swords he has found are made overseas and already tempered. He'd also prefer a U.S. made sword if possible. Anyone got any ideas?

TIA

 

[BitingSarcasm]

I don't know if you are going to find one that is fully vetted as U.S. made. Tempered shouldn't really make a difference for engraving as long as the blade is kept relatively cool, so if the person can handle firearms work it shouldn't be too hard to do a sword. Cold Steel and Windlass are the only ones I remember as making "official" swords that can actually be worn on a dress uniform. Of the two, Cold Steel is always going to be the more expensive model, but their swords are better quality weapons, if that is important. If the zombie apocalypse breaks out during his graduation ceremony, the CS saber is the one I would want. Hopefully someone has more information for you than I do.

 

[horseclover]

Vendors such as Marlowe White are the de facto source for graduating midshipmen. One would pretty much have to go back to a primo antique to find a truly American made naval sword, as all after the WWI period were imported blades. Truly, anything after the Span Am war years are going to be imported blades and mostly entire swords.

The Cold Steel swords are not acceptable as official wear. The Windlass will be stainless anyway. The WKC swords through Marlowe White the preferred swords.

Cheers

GC

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Looking through the NEX (Navy Exchange System) web site.

The description is

Navy Officer's Sword and Scabbard
with Cut and Thrust Blade
Sword is Prescribable for
all Active Duty Officers LCDR
and above.

The price is $550

Black Belt for Navy Officer's Sword
Black Sling Straps with Clips
and Gold Plated Buckle
**Belt is worn Underneath
Service Dress Coat**

$73.25

Best set of pictures I can find on the NEX website::

As stated above, the Naval Academy version sold through the Midshipman Store (and as per the company website, used by officers and Midshipmen at the Academy) is normally $390 currently on sale for $290

http://www.marlowwhite.com/navy-officer-sword

They also have a "package deal", usually $495, on sale $395 and includes belt, knot, carry case and laser etching.

http://www.marlowwhite.com/navy-officer-sword-package

The Marlow White sword is made by Weyersberg-Kirschbaum Company, Solingen DE

Here's the link to WKC US Navy Sword for "sales" details

http://www.wkc-solingen.de/newshop/USNavy.html

And for those interested in all swords currently made by WKC --

http://www.wkc-solingen.de/newshop/index.html

Your friend is not going to find any authorized Navy swords made in the USA. Mine is a WKC made in 1977. They've had the contract since dirt was clean. I believe they were even making them BEFORE WW2.

 

[Critter]

Thanks for everyone's input.