Howdy John
The blade in question does not have any faternal designs of any kind and you are right it is a presentation grade militia staff officers sword with a sharkskin and wire wrapped handle ( most were bone and sometimes ivory handles ), civil war period. The fittings were normally gold or silver plated which is usually worn off by now as the plating was thin at best on most models.
If the blade was in hand it would be apparent that it is stout enough to fight with. This style was used to stab rather than slash.
I have owned and handeled many of these including ones dedicated to Confederate and Union Officers from estates with photo images of the officer wearing the blade where the provenance would not be in question. You will find them marked and unmarked. I did training at The Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and handeled many in the collection there that were named presentation swords several of them the exact same pattern. Enlisted models differ in the quality of the blade and usually have leather scabbards with metal fittings many were more suited for parade rather than battle as was much of the militia gear.
The manufacture of the scabbard is comparable to the majority of the presentation type of sword from the civil war and before. Presentation patterns were never regulation. As mentioned before I have handeled, owned and sold many of them to American civil war collectors.
Steve
quote:
Originally posted by John Pepera:
Steve,
May I respectfully disagree.
You are correct in saying that there were in fact militia swords of the period that you stated and there being many variations to include chains from the handle to the cross guard however there are no regulation U.S. swords with elaborately and highly decorated scabbards as the sword in discussion not withstanding special order or presentation pieces.
Considering the above coupled together with the crude manufacture I lean toward 'fraternal or lodge' not any regulation U.S. pattern
In my opinion and again, respectfully,
John
