This sword made by Klingenthal and imported from France was presented to Captain John W. Moore of Company G, 30^th Pennsylvania Infantry by the men of his Company.

The weapon has a semi-bright blade that meas. approx. 30.25 inches long and 1.08 inches wide at the ricasso. The spine of the blade is flat and etched with a scroll design over the first 7.00 inches and there is also an unreadable maker’s name engraved in this area. The true edge has several minor nicks but nothing that detracts. The semi-bright blade surface has some very light mottling scattered throughout. There is an unstopped fuller running approx. 22.50 inches and a narrow fuller that runs 13.00 inches.

The etching on the blade is very visible. The obverse side begins at the ricasso with a “clamshell” arc and a mix of horizontal and vertical lines before changing to a scrollwork pattern with a central focal point of flags, spears and shields. The reverse has the exact same etching as the obverse. Leather washer is present at base of the ricasso.

The brass hilt is similar to the French Model 1838 Chasseurs saber. It has an oval style pommel cap that is heavily decorated throughout and has a brass spine extending over the length of the grip. This spine has a small raised scroll decoration dominated by raised laurel leaves as it moves downward. The single knucklebow starts at the pommel cap with a deep cast scroll decoration and then changes to a thin square shape before reaching a flute halfway down. After the flute the knucklebow widens into almost a basket shaped counterguard with cutouts and a raised cast spread-winged eagle beneath a riband of seven stars amidst fan shaped flags on the front. After passing the grip the guard narrows into a quillon with a circular decoration. Hilt is tight. The grip is covered in shark skin has a wrap of twisted brass wire. There is some light wear to the shark skin but the wire is tight. The very bottom of the grip has a brass ferrule. All the brass has a nice light patina.

The leather scabbard has a very plain brass throat, mounts and rings. Each is decorated only along the edges with a small line of feathering. The top mount, below the throat, bears the inscription “PRESENTED TO/CAPT. J. W. MOORE/BY CO. G, 30^TH REGT. PENNA. VOLS.” The drag is a very ornate with an engraved feather and scrollwork decoration. Anchor screw for the drag is missing but it is firmly in place. The leather body of the scabbard shows light crazing and wear but the rear seam is tight and there is only light surface finish loss.

John W. Moore was born in Philadelphia in 1836. He was commissioned a Captain in Company G, 30^th Pennsylvania Infantry  on July 9, 1861. It was probably about this time that the sword offered here was presented to him.

In March of 1862 he was transferred to the 99^th Pennsylvania Infantry as Captain of Company K. He saw action at Second Bull Run, Chantilly and Antietam before being appointed Major in November of 1862 but was mustered at that rank until February 20, 1863.

Moore fought at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville and found himself in command of the regiment at Gettysburg where it fought in the area of Devil’s Den, Rose Woods and the Wheatfield. On July 3^rd the regiment was positioned behind the 72^nd Pennsylvania during Pickett’s Charge. At some point during Pickett’s attack Major Moore was bayonetted in the foot. Moore went on to serve at Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Deep Bottom.

On September 16, 1864 Moore was promoted to Colonel of the 203^rd Pennsylvania and led them in the assault on Fort Fisher in Wilmington, North Carolina. During the assault of January 15, 1865 Colonel Moore personally led his regiment over the first parapet, waving the regimental flag, but was shot dead by a bullet through the heart as he mounted the second parapet. He was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia.

The sword comes with a nice copy of a photograph of Colonel Moore in uniform, his military and pension records as well as color photographs of his grave.  [ad]

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