Sword, Presentation, Charles A. Lindbergh, Flight to Mexico

Metal presentation sword. Blade is etched with various images including the Spirit of St. Louis. The hilt has an eagle's head hand guard as well as having an eagle's head for a pommel. The entire sword is white metal. The grip is wrapped with snake skin. This sword was presented to Charles A. Lindberg in Mexico at the start of his 1927-1928 "Good Will" tour to Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Isles. Flying in his Ryan NYP, the same aircraft he used to fly the Atlantic in May 1927 and then later in 1927 touring the contiguous 48 states.

In early 1927 Charles A. Lindbergh entered the competition for the $25,000 prize offered by Raymond Orteig for the first nonstop flight between New York and Paris.

In February Lindbergh placed an order with Ryan Airlines in San Diego for an aircraft with specifications necessary to make the flight. Lindbergh flew the aircraft from San Diego to New York on May 10—12, making only one stop, at St. Louis.

Lindbergh took off from NY for Paris on the morning of May 20, 1927. Thirty-three hours, 30 minutes, and 3,610 miles later he landed safely at Le Bourget Field, near Paris.

From July 20 until October 23 of that year he took the famous plane on a 48 state tour of the United States.

Then, on December 13, he and the Spirit of St. Louis flew nonstop from Washington to Mexico City; through Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico; and nonstop from Havana to St. Louis.

This sword was presented to Charles A. Lindberg in Mexico at the start of his 1927-1928 "Good Will" tour to Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Isles.

On April 30, 1928, the Spirit of St. Louis made its final flight—from St. Louis to Washington, D.C where Lindbergh presented the aircraft to the Smithsonian Institution.