After two years of military service, Orrin Gross, a thirty-six-year-old infantry sergeant from Galva, IL, and formerly of Co. G, 112^th IL infantry regiment, gained his appointment to Captain of Company E, 1^st U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery on April 19, 1864 at Knoxville, TN. A German-imported foot officer’s sword was presented to Captain Orrin M. Gross by his men on November 5, 1864. At that time, it appears that the members of Company E did not have sufficient funds to acquire a new blade and scabbard for their commander. They then arranged to procure a used sword and scabbard which was modified by obliterating the original officer’s identified presentation. This modified sword was then engraved again and presented to Captain Gross by his men. An updated presentation on the same sword is found on the sword’s upper scabbard mount area and reads “Presented to / Capt. O. M. Gross / by the / Members of Co. E. 1^st U.S.C A (H). / Nov 5^th, 1864.” Gross was present for duty with the company through his entire term of service until he mustered out in May 1865 at Chattanooga, TN as Major.

Orrin Gross’s foot officer’s sword, made by the swordmaking dynasty of W. Clauberg in Solingen, Prussia, was imported to the U.S. by one of the many retailors at the time. Sword measures a total of 37¾” long, and features a cast brass, two-branch hilt and knucklebow ornately embellished with detailed floral motifs. Grips are dark rayskin wrapped over a center-swelled wood handle. Double-tiered, Phrygian-style brass pommel decorated with an ornately cast brim.

The steel blade, slightly curved, measures 32” long and has a 21½’ long wide stopped fuller with a 13” long narrow fuller on both flats. Obverse flat exhibits very fine etching that starts at the plain ricasso, continues with military motifs to the detailed ‘spreadwinged eagle’ and followed with a floral scrolls to within 15” of the blade tip. Reverse flat shows the maker’s mark of the “a standing knight with ‘W. Clauberg above and ‘Solingen’ below the figure. Ricasso extends with military motifs up to the fancy scripted letters “U.S.” opposite flat and continues. Blade wears a medium gray sheen with light scattered spots of light rust pitting. Grips are tight.

Metal scabbard features a light mellow patina overall and includes fancy military motif engraving on one face of the scabbard. Has two, simple carry mounts, two rings on plain mounting bands, and a large, engraved, slippered drag. This identified officer’s presentation sword and scabbard makes a great collectible. Comes with the soldier’s military records from the National Archives in Washington, DC.

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