Officers’ Swords

Both Lewis and Clark carried swords as commissioned officers, though the exact pattern each carried is unknown. The 1787 U.S. regulations called for iron or steel mounted sabers of 36 inches overall length. As a practical matter, swords were not particularly important to the expedition as survival tools, but they served as symbols of military authority in dealings with Native nations. The most dramatic use of a sword occurred on September 25, 1804, at Bad River, when Clark drew his sword during the confrontation with the Teton Sioux — the warriors strung their bows in response, and Lewis ordered the swivel gun aimed at them.