War 1812 Congressional presentation sword to Colonel Richard Johnson - The killer of Shawnee Chief Tecumseh
The killer of Shawnee Chief Tecumseh – solid gold sword presented by Congress of the United States – a solid gold sword made for Colonel Richard Johnson who latter became Vice-President of the United States. US Congress spent $1200 to pay a goldsmith to make this sword almost 200 hundred years ago. At this time it was the most beautiful and expensive sword ever made in America, made by Nathan Starr of Connecticut by commission of the United States Congress. This is 1 of only 3 swords known to exist made by Starr, the other was to Andrew Jackson and Gen. Gaines. It is truly one of the most beautiful American swords existant. Johnson had killed Chief Tecumseh in hand-to-hand combat in 1813 at the battle of the Thames, which ended the Indian alliance with the British during their invasion of America in the War of 1812.