Presented to Major General George McClellan by the citizens of Boston on February 5th, 1863
Description
The blade of this sword is long, straight, and double edged. Both sides of the blade are decorated with trophy, floral, and scroll designs. The grip of the sword is gold plated, and is covered with rows of laurel leaves. The grip also has three bands covered in pearls. Two of the bands intersect in the middle, and the other wraps around the top, right below the pommel. The pommel is globular and covered in gold oak leaves. A large stone or gem is missing from the pommel. The knuckle guard is a gold plated strip of laurel leaves. The counterguard is double shell shaped. The top of the counterguard is corrugated. The knuckle guard terminates in a round quillon with palm leaf designs.
The scabbard has three gold mounts. The top mount has two angels holding a shield surrounded with floral and scroll designs on the obverse. Between the mounts is the inscription “TO / Major General George B. McClellan. / from many / Citizens of / BOSTON / February / 5th 1863. / Pro rege saepe, pro patria simper.” The middle mount has a medieval casque surrounded by two small angels and floral and scroll designs. The drag features the profile view of a goddess' head, along with some more floral designs. There are three carrying rings on the scabbard, one on each side of the top mount, and the other on the right side of the middle mount.
Presented to Major James M. Green by Company F of the 48th New York Volunteer Regiment in 1862
Description
James M. Green joined the 48th New York Infantry as a Captain in command of Company ‘F’ in 1861. He was presented this sword by Company ‘F’ when promoted to Major in June 1862. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in December, 1862. Green was killed in an assault on Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863.
The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single-edged. The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about three quarters of the way to the top of the blade. Both sides are decorated in silver and gold chasing. The obverse depicts a classical soldier and floral sprays and is inscribed “Presented to Major James M. Green, 48th Reg. N.Y.S.V. / by the Members of Company F.” The reverse depicts a Union soldier, a "U.S." monogram, and a variety of floral sprays. The grip of the sword is ovular and has a spiral shape. There is a wire chain wrapped around the grip in a spiral. The pommel features a casting of the US shield, and on the top there is a large burgundy garnet. The knuckle guard and counterguard are decorated with laurel sprays and scroll designs.
The scabbard is made of metal that has been painted brown in a wood pattern, and has three gold mounts. The top two mounts are identical, and each bear a casting of a scroll design surrounded by palm leaves with a ring of laurel leaves that cuts across the center. The drag features an eagle casting, along with a scroll design that is similar to the other mounts. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of the two top mounts.
Presented to Lieutenant William Allen by the employees of E.T. Sinker & Company
Description
William Allen served as a Second Lieutenant in the 132nd Indian Infantry Regiment, one of the 100 Days volunteer regiments organized near the end of the Civil War. The regiment was mustered in May, 1864 and served as Railroad Guard in Tennessee and Alabama. It mustered out in September, 1864. The sword was a gift to Allen from his colleagues at E.T. Sinker & Co., an Indianapolis firm that manufactured steam engines and other machinery.
This Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer's Sword has a long, single-edged, slightly curved blade. The fuller extends about two thirds of the way to the top of the blade, and both sides are decorated in floral designs in a silver chasing. The obverse features an eagle with spread wings holding a banner reading "E PLURIBUS UNUM". The reverse bears the monogram "US". Both sides of the blade feature a military trophy design that includes a few flags, a liberty pole and cap, and a US shield. The grip is a cylindrical shape and bears a laurel leaf design and is wrapped in a spiral in gilt wire. The pommel features a leaf design on its edge that is similar to the grip. The rest of the pommel is plain. The knuckle guard is a brass strip that branches off twice to form the counterguard, which is a half basket shape. There are floral castings and a "US" monogram in the space between the branches. All of this terminates in a quillon that is shaped like a water drop and is covered in a palm leaf design on the top.
The scabbard is metal stained brown to look like wood. It bears three gold mounts. All of the mounts feature an engraving of a flower surrounded by a very simple circle design. The throat of the scabbard bears a similar design. The first mount bears the inscription “Presented to / Lient. WmAllen / by / the / Employees / of E.T. SINKER & Co.” The sword features two carrying rings, one on the right side of each of the top two mounts.
Formerly a sergeant in the regular army, Levi Force enlisted as a private in Company ‘C’ of the 179th New York Volunteer Infantry in April, 1864. By August he was promoted to Captain and mustered out with his regiment in June 1865. This sword was presented to him by the men of his Company.
The blade of this Model 1850 presentation sword is long, curved, and single edged. The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about two thirds of the way to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated with scroll designs in silver chasing. The obverse bears an eagle holding an "E PLURIBUS UNUM" banner, and the reverse bears a "U.S." monogram. The grip of the sword is cylindrical and has a metal gilt wire that wraps around it in a spiral. The pommel features oak spray castings on the sides and a scroll design on the top. The knuckle guard is a strip of gold metal with floral sprays. The counterguard is half basket shaped and bears an eagle with a US shield and oak and laurel sprays. The knuckle guard terminates in a quillon in the shape of an eagle's head.
The scabbard has three gold mounts. The top mount bears a casting of Columbia holding a sword and a US shield. The second mount bears military trophies. The third mount features a Union soldier carrying a flag. The reverse of the first mount bears the inscription “Presented to / Capt. L. Force / By his Company”. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of each of the top two mounts
Presented to George Batcheller by the 1st Brigade of Cavalry, New York on April 9th, 1866.
Description
George Sherman Batcheller raised a company of New York volunteers at the beginning of the Civil War. By the war’s end he was appointed Inspector General of the Volunteers and National Guard of New York.
The blade of this sword is slightly curved and single edged. It has a shallow, wide fuller that runs along its length. There are silver decorations on a gold backdrop on both sides of the blade. On the obverse, there are floral sprays and scroll designs. There is an engraving that reads, "One and Inseparable" and on the base of the blade there is an engraving of a canon and three flags. The reverse also has a canon and flag design on the base, and floral sprays. The monogram "US" is engraved in the middle of the decorations, and there is an eagle perched on the top of it. The eagle holds a scroll in its beak reading, "E PLURIBUS / UNUM". The grip of the sword is a figure of Athena slaying a dragon with her sword. The knuckle guard consists of a gold chain and a bust of a cherub, and it terminates in a small quillon in a scroll design. The gold chain attaches at the top of the grip near the goddess’ shoulder and at the bottom on the neck of the cherub. The counterguard is a gold plated ovular shape. The obverse has the initials "GB" cast in the center. The monogram is covered with approximately 24 small diamonds. Scroll designs surround the cast. The reverse of the counterguard is a simple scroll design.
The scabbard is gold plated and has three gold mounts. The first mount features a medallion with a diamond encrusted star. Under the medallion is an eagle with its wings spread perched atop a shield with a stars and stripes theme. To either side of the medallion are laurel sprays, and on top there are two flags and an axe. Between the mount is the inscription “1st Brigade of Cavalry / to / Genl. G.S. Batcheller / April 9th 1866.” The middle mount features two gold laurel wreaths with a small gold rope tying them together. The drag has a very simple laurel spray design. There are two carrying rings on the mount, one on the right side of the top mount, and the other on the right side of the middle mount.
Presented to Brigadier General John P. Hatch by Officers of the 5th New York and 1st Vermont Cavalry on October 31st, 1862
Description
John Porter Hatch was a West Point graduate and career Army officer. He was in command of a division when he was wounded at the Battle of South Mountain in September, 1862. He received a Medal of Honor for his conduct during the battle. The inscription on this sword indicates it was presented for the same action.
The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single-edged. The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about three quarters of the way to the top of the blade. The blade is heavily pitted, especially near the base, but the silver chasing decorations on both sides are still fairly visible. On the reverse, military trophies and a "US" monogram are visible, along with a group of floral sprays. The obverse is similarly decorated without a monogram. The grip of the sword is cylindrical, and is covered in engravings of scroll designs. On the obverse is a medallion with an eagle and a banner reading "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and on the reverse there is a blank medallion. The pommel of the sword is vase shaped, and covered with laurel leaves and a basic tile pattern. The knuckle guard is a gold metal strip that branches off in two places. These branches form the counterguard, which features the two additional strips of metal connected by scroll and floral castings and a "US" monogram. All of this terminates in a scroll shaped quillon.
The scabbard is painted and has three mounts. Each mount is gold with a silver medallion in the center. The medallion on the top features an eagle with an "E PLURIBUS UNUM" banner. The medallion on the second mount features an image of Columbia, and the bottom medallion features an engraving of a classical figure. All of these medallions are surrounded by scroll designs. The inscription on the reverse of the top mount reads “TO / Brigr. Genl. J.P. Hatch, / from / Officers of the 5th New York / and 1st Vermont Cavalry / Oct. 31st 1862.” There are two carrying rings, one on the right side of the top and middle mounts.
Presented to General Frank Wheaton by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the 2d Regt R.I. Volunteers on Dec. 13th 1862.
Description
Frank (Francis) Wheaton started his military career on the frontier in the 1850s. When the Civil War began he was commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry. By war’s end he was a brevet Major General in the volunteer Army.
The blade is long, slightly curved, and double edged. It is decorated with military trophies and floral and scroll designs in gilt and silver chasing. The obverse features an eagle holding an "E PLURIBUS / UNUM" banner, and the reverse bears a "US" monogram. The grip of the nickel plated with a piece of gilded wire that wraps around it in a spiral approximately ten times. The pommel bears the cast of an eagle surrounded by scroll designs on the side. The pommel cap is missing. The knuckle guard is a thin strip of gold metal with floral sprays at the top. There are a number of red jewels on the counterguard. Six of these jewels are found between scrolls, and five of them form a flower between two scrolls. The quillon is shaped like the head of a dragon, and extends down towards the blade.
The scabbard bears four gold mounts. The first two mounts are almost identical. Both bear two sets of floral sprays in a diamond shape. The top mount features seven red jewels, and the middle mount features six. There is a casting of an anchor between the second mount and the drag. The drag bears a cluster of military trophies and nine red stones. The obverse of the scabbard is inscribed ” Malvern Hill. / BULL RUN. / WILLIAMSBURGH. / Seven Pines.. / ANTIETAM. / FREDRICKSBURGH.” The reverse is inscribed “Presented to / Genl. Frank Wheaton, / by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates / of the 2d Regt R.W. Volunteers. / As a token of Regard and Esteem. while their Colonel/ Dec. 13th 1862.” between the top two mounts. There are two carrying rings on the piece, one on the right side of the top two mounts.
Forged steel with a stained ivory-and-silvered guard and knuckle bow. Scabbard is leather with metal trim.
Specific History
Sword and scabbard carried by Major General Benjamin Lincoln throughout the Revolutionary War. General Lincoln played a major role in accepting the surrender at Yorktown.
General History
Surrender at Yorktown
General Charles Conrwallis was so mortified by his defeat that he dispatched his second-in-command, Brigadier General Charles O'Hara, to surrender his forces. When O'Hara offered Cornwallis's sword to George Washington, Washington, in keeping with the rigid hierarchies of military protocol, asked his second-in-command, Major General Benjamin Lincoln, to accept it.
During the surrender ceremonies on the afternoon of October 19, 1781, British Brigadier General Charles O'Hara led a column of British troops out of Yorktown. He surrendered to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who then directed British troops to lay down their weapons.
Presented to Brevet Major General Frank Wheaton by the State of Rhode Island through Governor James Y. Smith, January 1865
Description
Presented to Frank Wheaton by the state of Rhode Island in 1865, the blade of this sword is long, straight, and double edged. It is decorated in gold and silver chasing on both sides. The obverse features a "US" monogram and a US shield of arms, while the reverse features an eagle, a face, and a cluster of military trophies. Both sides are also heavily decorated in floral and scroll patterns. The grip of the sword is a woman, perhaps Columbia or Nike, wearing a toga with her right arm raised; originally her right hand held a laurel wreath. There are two stars on her toga. The sword lacks a pommel and knuckle guard. There are two quillons and a counterguard. The smaller quillon is a simple scroll shape, while the larger quillon extends half way up the hilt, and is the same height as the woman figure's waist. This quillon features a very large purple amethyst, surrounded by casts of four cherubs. The counterguard bears a large blue enamel medallion with the initials "FW" cast in the center. The medallion is surrounded by a large laurel wreath and ribbon.
The scabbard has three gold mounts. The first mount features the seal of Rhode Island on the obverse and a dagger between laurel leaves on the reverse. The second bears a medieval trophy of arms on the obverse and a shield inscribed with the monogram "US" on the reverse. The third mount bears a spray of oak leaves on both sides. Between the second and third mounts is the inscription “BREVET MAJOR GENERAL FRANK WHEATON U.S.V. / For gallant and meritorious service during the war, and especially in the battles of / OPEQUAN, FISHERS HILL AND MIDDLETOWN / BY / The State of Rhode Island THROUGH James Y. Smith Governor, / in conformity with a RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY passed at its Jan'y Session / A.D. 1865” The scabbard has three carrying rings, one on each side of the first mount, and one on the right side of the second mount.
Presented to General William B. Hazen by the Officers of his staff in June 1863
Description
West Point graduate William B. Hazen was wounded in action against the Comanche in Texas prior to the Civil War. He fought at Shiloh and Stones River where he was wounded, yet credited with saving the Union Line at “Hell’s Half Acre.” He continued to serve in the Army until his death in 1887.
The blade of this sword is long, straight, and single-edged. The fuller is broad and shallow. Both sides of the blade are decorated in silver and gold chasing. The silver decorations consist of floral sprays and designs. The gold chasing on the obverse is in the shape of two flags, military trophies, and a shield. The gold chasing on the reverse creates a flag and a classical style helmet. The grip is shark skin with a three wire medley that wraps around the grip 11 times in a spiral. There is a gold backstrap on the grip. The pommel is in the shape of an eagle's head. The knuckle guard is decorated in a casting of floral sprays in the center and laurel leaves on the sides. There is an eagle casting the bears the US shield on the base of the guard. The counterguard is ovular and bowl shaped and is similarly decorated with floral spray castings and laurel leaves. The counterguard terminates in a quillon that is shaped like a lion's head.
The scabbard bears three gold mounts. Each mount features ornate castings of floral and scroll designs. It is inscribed “Presented to / Gen. W.B. Hazen. / by the Officers of his staff / June 1863 / Shiloh, April 7, 1862, Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.” between the top two mounts on the scabbard's obverse. The scabbard bears two carrying rings, one on the right hand side of the two top mounts.
Presented to Major General John R Brooke by Post 595 G.A.R. and citizens of Pottstown, Pennsylvania on Jan. 14th 1901.
Description
Born in Pottstown, PA, John R. Brooke served as a brevet Major General in the Civil War. He was wounded at Gettysburg and again at Cold Harbor. He later served in the Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War. He was appointed military governor of Puerto Rico and later, Cuba at the end of the war. This Model 1840 style presentation sword was given to him in 1901 by Post 595 of the G.A.R. , Pottstown, PA.
The blade is long, straight, diamond shaped, and double edged. It is decorated on both sides in scroll designs and military trophies in gold chasing. The metal grip is mounted with mother of pearl. The grip is wrapped ten times around in a spiral with gilt wire. The cast pommel has a scroll design. The knuckle guard is a thin gold metal strip decorated with oak sprays and large palm leaves. There is a five sided star in the center of the knuckle guard. It terminates in a horn shaped quillon that extends outward. The counterguard bears an eagle holding laurel sprays in front of a large sunburst with stars. The design is surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The reverse of the counterguard is hinged and features the monogram "JRB" in the center, surrounded by floral and scroll designs.
The scabbard has three gold metal mounts, all of which are decorated with floral designs. Between the top two mounts is the inscription ” Presented to / MAJOR GENL. JOHN R. BROOKE / by the Citizens and ME Richards Post 595 G.A.R. / Pottstown, Pa. Jan. 14th 1901.” There are three carrying rings on the piece, one on each side of the top mount, and one on the right side of the middle mount. There is a long, thick, gold metal chain that hooks to the top right hand ring and the ring on the middle mount.
Presented to Major James Crall by the non-commissioned officers and privates of the 82nd Ohio Regiment
Description
James S. Crall was an officer of the 82nd Ohio Infantry Regiment throughout the Civil War. He mustered out with his regiment in July, 1865.
The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single edged. The fuller extends about two thirds of the way to the tip of the blade, and both sides are decorated in floral designs in silver chasing. The obverse features US arms, a banner reading "E PLURIBUS / UNUM", an eagle, a small etched scene with a field and mountains, and the inscription “MAJOR / JAMES S. CRALL / 182d. REG. / OHIO VOL.” The grip is cylindrical. On the obverse, there is a cast of Columbia holding a sword in her right hand and a US shield in her left. The reverse is decorated with a "US" monogram that is surrounded in scroll and floral designs. The pommel bears oak scrolls on the bottom and is surmounted by an eagle standing on a ball. The knuckle guard is a thin strip of gold metal decorated in oak scrolls. The counterguard is decorated in casting of military trophies, including a US shield and a liberty pole and cap. All of this terminates in a quillon which extends downward toward the blade and bears a scroll pattern.
The scabbard bears three gold mounts, two of which are decorated with war trophies and the third with a US cavalryman. The reverse of the mounts feature scroll designs. Between the first two mounts is the inscription “PRESENTED TO / Major Games S. Crall / BY THE / NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS / & PRIVATES OF THE 82nd REGT. O.V. IN. / FOR / MERITORIOUS CONDUCT DISPLAYED ON THE / BATTLE FIELDS OF / Manassas Plains, Chancellorsville / & Gettysburg.” There are two carrying rings on this scabbard. They are found on the right side of the top two mounts. The carrying rings are gripped by castings of a hands.
Presented to Captain A.H. Foster by Company D of the 25th Massachusetts Volunteers Regiment on February 8, 1862.
Description
Albert H Foster mustered in as a Captain of the 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment on Oct. 12, 1861. He mustered out on Oct. 20, 1864.
The blade of this Model 1850 presentation sword is single edged and slightly curved. There is a broad, shallow fuller on three quarters of the blade. Floral designs and military trophies decorate both sides. There is an eagle on the obverse and a "US" monogram on the reverse. The shark skin grip is wrapped 14 times with a thin gold metal wire. The counterguard is an ornate sculpture of three parallel gold strips connected with floral sprays and laurel leaves and a “US” monogram. The reverse of the counterguard is a small gold ova. The quillon is a basic solid spiral decorated with a palm leaf engraving on the front.
The scabbard is gold plated and has two simple, thin gold mounts decorated with laurel leaves. Between the mounts are ornate scroll designs and the inscription “Presented to / Capt. A. H. Foster Co. D. 25 REG. Mass. Vo. / BY / HIS COMPANY / As a token of their regard and esteem for him. / and for his bravery at the battle of Roanoke. / Feb. 8th 1862.” Between the second mount and the drag, there is a complex military trophy and floral spray engraving. The reverse of the scabbard bears no decoration. The scabbard has two carrying rings—one on the right side of the top mount, and the other on the right side of the middle mount.
Presented to Colonel Marcus L. Harrison by the officers and men of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry Volunteers in 1864
Description
Enlisted as a private, Marcus Larue Harrison’s railroad background made him an acting lieutenant of engineers by the fall of 1861. In 1862 Harrison was given permission to organize Arkansas Unionists into the 1st Arkansas Cavalry Regiment. The regiment served in battles in northwest Arkansas. This sword was presented to him by the officers and men of the regiment in 1864.
The blade of this sword is long, curved, and single edged. The fuller is broad and shallow and it extends about three quarters of the way to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in floral and scroll designs in gold and silver chasing. The obverse bears an American soldier holding a sword and a cluster of military trophies bearing the monogram "US". The reverse bears a soldier holding a gun, and a larger "U.S." monogram. The grip of the sword is a plain textured metal that has been wrapped with gilt wire approximately 18 times around in a spiral. The backstrap is a gold metal with scroll designs and military trophies, including a US shield, cast upon it. The pommel is a continuation of the backstrap, and is covered in scroll designs. There is a large dark red jewel in the place of a capstan rivet. The knuckle guard and counterguard are decorated with palm leaves and scroll patterns.
The scabbard bears three gold mounts. The top two mounts bear an ornate laurel spray design. The drag features a scroll design and a handful of flags at the base. The space between the two top mounts bears a silver metal plate with the inscription “M. La Rue Harrison / Col. 1st Ark. Cav. Vols. / from the / Officers and Men of his Command / 1864”. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of the top two mounts.
Presented to Colonel Leonard A. Harris by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Militia
Description
Leonard A. Harris served as a captain in the three months’ service 1st Ohio Infantry at First Manassas, and as a colonel in the three years’ service 2nd Ohio Infantry at the Battle of Perryville. He resigned due to illness in December, 1862.
The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single edged. The fuller extends about three quarters of the way to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in silver chasing with scroll designs and depictions of battlefields. The ricasso bears an etched portrait of George Washington. The grip is metal and is wrapped approximately sixteen times with gilt wire in a spiral. The pommel features a floral design on the front and a cast medieval helmet on the top. The knuckle guard is of silver metal. The top is twisted in a spiral and straightens as it reaches the counterguard.
The scabbard bears three silver metal mounts. The top mount features an eagle on a medallion surrounded by an oak wreath and scroll designs. The reverse features a "US" monogram in a similar setting. The medallion on the second mount is missing, but the oak wreath and scroll designs are still present. The drag features an oak spray with acorns and scroll designs. The space between the first two mount is inscribed “Presented to / Col. L.A. Harris / by the / Non-commissioned Officers / and Privates of the 2nd O.V.M. / as a token of their esteem / The heart is all.” The space between the second and third mounts bears another oak spray with acorns. There are two carrying rings on the piece, one on the right hand side of the top two mounts.
Voted to Major General Winfield S. Hancock at the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair in St. Louis, Missouri on June 4th, 1864.
Description
This sword was voted to Major General Winfield Scott Hancock at the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair in St. Louis, Missouri on June 4th, 1864. The fair was one of many fundraisers for the United States Sanitary Commission, a private relief organization that supported army hospitals and sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Visitors to the fair gave donations to “vote” for their favorite general.
The blade of this sword is long, straight, and singled-edged. The fuller is broad and flat, and extends almost to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in gold and silver chasing in floral and scroll designs. On the obverse are a "US" monogram and a Union soldier. On the reverse is a cluster of military trophies and a soldier. The grip is four sided. On the side faces there is a single line of beadwork. On the front and back faces are figures of a woman holding a sword in her right hand and a standard in her left. The pommel bears a cast eagle. The knuckle guard consists of two sprays of laurel leaves arranged in the form of a bow. In the center of the knuckle guard is the goddess Nike holding a laurel wreath. The quillon terminates above the blade in the shape of a lion's head. The counterguard features a laurel wreath on the front, and is inscribed “VOTED TO / MAJ. GEN. W.S. HANCOCK / AT THE / MISSISSIPPI / VALLEY / SANITARY / FAIR / ST. LOUIS June 4 1864.”
The scabbard has three gold mounts. The first mount bears an eagle surrounded in gold stars encrusted in diamonds (36 diamonds total), all set on a blue enamel background flanked by two standards and surmounted by two palm sprays. The reverse of this mount bears a sword wrapped in a laurel wreath. The middle mount features an oval shield with a "US" monogram cast in the center, and a Greek helmet, sword, and laurel spray. The drag features a laurel wreath, a battle axe, and a lion's head. There are three carrying rings on this scabbard, one on each side of the top mount and one on the right side of the middle mount.
This sword was first presented to C.W. Brandt by the 1st New York Veteran Cavalry. It was subsequently captured and presented to Lieutenant Colonel John S. Mosby by Lieutenant A.E. Richards on March 10th, 1864. The sword was recaptured and presented to Colonel H.S. Gansevoort by the 13th New York Cavalry in September 1864.
Description
The blade of this Model 1850 Presentation Sword is long, curved, and single edged. It is decorated on both sides with floral and scroll designs in silver chasing. On the obverse is an eagle holding a banner that reads, "E PLURIBUS UNUM". On the reverse is a "U.S." monogram in place of the eagle. The grip is cylindrical and wrapped with gilt wire 11 times in a spiral. The pommel is shaped like a traditional Model 1850 sword, and scroll designs are featured its edges. The knuckle guard and counterguard are decorated with scroll designs. The quillon curls down to the blade in a scroll design.
The scabbard has three mounts. The first two are small and thin, and feature casts of oak sprays and acorns and the drag features a scroll design. There are four inscriptions on this scabbard, one on the obverse and three on the reverse. Two of the inscriptions (obverse and left reverse) bear the name of the sword's original owner “Presented by / Co.L. 1st N.Y. Vet. Cav. / as a mark of Esteem / to C.W. Bryandt.” The next, (center reverse), reads "Captured March 10th 1864 / and Presented / by Lt. A.E. Richards / to / Lt. Col. John Singleton Mosby", and the last inscription, (right reverse), reads "Recaptured / Sept 1864 / by the 13TH N.Y. Cavalry / Col. H.S. Gansevoort". There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of the top two mounts.
This French naval small sword has a brass hilt and leather grip. The blade is etched with a French anchor emblem and the date “1782”. Although it is a foreign weapon, American sailors would have seen and used such swords. Weapons of all sorts, from cannon to knives, were traded internationally as well as bartered, captured, stolen, purchased, smuggled or otherwise easily obtained.