Knife has a stag horn grip anchored by four small rivets, two at the top and two on the bottom. One side of the grip, which we will call the obverse, has a German silver escutcheon engraved “SGT. SHELVIN SHROPSHIRE.” The grip shows age but is in excellent condition.

Below the grip is a German silver “T” shaped guard. The obverse side of this guard is engraved at center with the numeral “10.” The numbers are done in a block style with a fine linear decoration on their face. The hilt meas. approx. 4.25 inches long from the top of the handle to the bottom of the guard. The width of the guard is approx. 2.50 inches.

The blade itself is in very nice condition with light to moderate mottling throughout. The edge is free of nicks and still sharp. The point is the original with no signs of being re-ground. The obverse ricasso has a worn maker’s mark but “…LORD ST, SHEFFIELD” can be easily read while the reverse ricasso has the letters “DCL” engraved on it. The worn maker’s name is believed to have been James Westa, as is indicated by the visible markings. The length of the blade is approx. 6.25 inches.

The knife comes housed in its original leather sheath with German silver throat. The edges of the sheath are decorated on both sides with a delicately inscribed gold cross-hatch design. The obverse side has an additional small scrollwork design at center. The leather shows moderate to heavy wear with some surface material missing just below the throat along the right side. This affected area runs approx. 1.75 inches from the bottom of the throat on both sides of the sheath. There also appears to be a missing piece of silver from the tip and a mounting stud from the back of the throat. The sheath overall is strong and solid.

Shelvin Shropshire is believed to have been born into slavery sometime between 1840-1845 in Dallas County, Alabama. When he first enlisted he gave his birth year as 1840 but each time he re-enlisted he set his birth year as 1845. His service in the 10^th US Cavalry spanned 35 years from the formation of the regiment in 1867 till his retirement on October 18, 1902. During that time he rose to be 1^st Sergeant of Company H, a post he held for 10 years. His description says he was 5’ 6” tall with dark eyes, hair and complexion.

“UNDER FIRE WITH THE 10^TH CAVALRY” by Herschel V. Cashin (a copy of which is included with purchase) tells us that 1^st Sergeant Shropshire “was a conspicuous figure in the regimental history.” He was with the regiment in their first fight with the Indians at Great Bend on the Arkansas River in 1867. In June of 1871 while with C Troop in camp at Galesteo, New Mexico, 1^st Sergeant Shropshire was instrumental in suppressing a riot when an officer shot and killed two enlisted men. He was also mentioned in orders for bravery displayed in an action at Wichita Agency in August of 1874 and rendered excellent service through the Geronimo campaign of 1885-1886.

1^st Sergeant Shropshire died on February 7, 1906 and was buried at Fort McKenzie, Wyoming and was later moved to Custer Battlefield National Cemetery.

This knife is a wonderful piece by itself but the added ID to a rarely encountered and historically significant regiment enhances its desirability greatly.

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