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The sword illustrated is a commissioned officers version of the United States

Model 1840 non-commissioned officers' sword. Although the sword has many

characteristics of the Ames 1840 commissioned officers sword there are no

Maker's marks. The blade is etched with a "U.S." and an eagle with outstretched

wings with a ribbon in it's beak with the motto "E Pluribus Unum".

The mystery is the engraving on the shell guard. At the top is a tiger head and

underneath the motto "Death or an Honorable Life". The sword is a militia

Officer's private purchase and was most likely manufactured circa 1840/45. It

has a feel of the Mexican War period and the tiger and motto a feel of a southern

militia unit.

The sword was purchased at a Virginia show, brought home, and when time

permitted, an internet search was made. After quite a bit of time what likely is

the answer was found. It is on a certificate of membership in the Boston Light

Infantry veteran corps dated 1882. At the top of the certificate is an engraved

tiger and over the tiger is the motto "Death or an Honorable Life". The engraved

tiger head on the sword is quite similar in appearance to the tiger's head

on the certificate. It is a fair assumption that the owner of the sword was an

officer in the Boston Light Infantry.

The Boston Light Infantry, as a unit, fought in the Revolution, War of 1812 and

the Civil War, (43rd Massachusetts Volunteers). I have been unsuccessful in

locating any information on the units' participation in the Mexican War as a

group. It is likely that the sword belonged to an officer who served in the regular

army during the Mexican War or with the 43rd Massachusetts during the

Civil War.