This original Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s sword is complete with the original metal scabbard. This quality steel edged weapon was carried by Lieutenant George W. Dicey of the 7th New Hampshire Infantry.

The drawn sword measures a total length of 37.50 inches from tip to pommel.  The steel blade is 31.75 inches long with a 12.75 inch narrow fuller and a 21.50 inch wide stopped fuller. The blade surface is semi-bright with light to moderate mottling on both sides and several areas of pitting. The heaviest pitting is at the ricasso and point and along the last half of the true edge. The true edge has no nicks. Both the obverse and reverse ricassos are blank. The blade surface is embellished via the acid etching process that features a scrollwork and linear motif above each ricasso. The etching consists of a foliate design but it is so faint that details are hard to discern. Very little of the leather washer remains at the base of the guard.

Weapon has a highly detailed, two-line, cutout brass hilt with the guard and knucklebow cast in one piece.  Upper line of brass hilt features prominent letters “US” surrounded by finely case foliate. Bottom line has an intricate, foliate cutout design. The grip is made of formed ribbed brass with several courses of faux dead bullion wire alternating with raised oak leaves. Phrygian pommel cap is border-engraved with a raised anthesis and scroll. Knucklebow and guard has a definite wiggle to it. Quillon is a nicely formed eagle head with very good detail. Guard has a dent above the letters “US.”

The brass undented scabbard is in good condition with a mellow surface patina and light signs of some cleaning. The throat is brass with engraved oak leaves all the way around the base. The two mounts are very ornate. The top mount is a figure of Columbia with sword and shield wearing a plumed helmet standing on a scrollwork platform. The second mount has the figure of a soldier from the back. He wears an overcoat with knapsack, cartridge box, bayonet and scabbard and a Hardee hat. The soldier is set within a framework of a fern at top and sunburst at bottom. The brass drag is decorated with a flowing scroll and leaf decoration at top and fern leaves at bottom. Both suspension rings are present. Between the top two mounts is engraved “PRESENTED TO / LT. GEO.W. DICEY / BY THE MEMBERS OF CO. G / 7^TH N. H. VOLS.” Engraving is well done and very readable.

George W. Dicey was born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire on January 17, 1842. Upon finishing his schooling he worked as a carpenter and was so employed when he enlisted as Private in Company G, 7^th New Hampshire Infantry on October 17, 1861.

The 7^th was sent to Florida and assigned to the 10^th Corps with whom it served in Florida, South Carolina, Virginia and North Carolina. The 19 year old Dicey was promoted to Corporal on June 27, 1862 and saw his first action on Morris Island in July of 1862. The 7^th was involved in the siege of Fort Wagner with Dicey being present with his regiment the whole time.

After besieging Forts Wagner and Sumter the regiment was involved in the fighting at Olustee on February 20, 1864. Just after this engagement Dicey re-enlisted and the following May he was promoted to 1^st Sergeant.

Starting in May of 1864 the regiment was heavily engaged in the Virginia Theater of war. The regiment saw action at Chester Station, Drewry’s Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Ware Bottom, Deep Bottom, New Market Heights, New Market Road and Darbytown Road. 1^st Sergeant Dicey was present for all these engagements.

On December 22, 1864 Dicey was commissioned a 1^st Lieutenant of Company G. His regiment was part of the forces sent to North Carolina to capture Fort Fisher which was accomplished on January 15, 1865. Lieutenant Dicey was mustered out at Goldsboro, North Carolina on July 20, 1865.

After the war Dicey returned home to New Hampshire where he continued to work as a carpenter. He married in 1866 and had three children. Malaria fever contracted in North Carolina plagued Dicey for the rest of his life and for which he received a pension. He died in Milton, New Hampshire on September 23, 1894 and was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, York County, Maine.

Sword comes with full military and pension records,

This is a presentation grade sword that looks to have seen use and was not just stored in a box.  [ad]

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