The drawn sword measures a total length of 36.00 inches from tip to pommel. The steel blade is 30.25 inches long with a 15.75 inch narrow fuller and a 21.50 inch long stopped fuller. The blade surface is bright with light to moderate mottling and is otherwise in very clean condition. The true edge has several small nicks. The obverse ricasso is blank while the obverse has a king’s head mark for the Gebruder Weyersberg of Solingen who made the blade. The spine of the blade in the ricasso area is marked “IRON PROOF.” The blade surface is embellished via the acid etching process. The etching on the obverse side begins above the ricasso with “W. H. HORSTMANN & SONS PHILADELPHIA” etched in four lines. Above this is a panoply of flags followed by another with a patriotic shield at center followed by a spread-winged eagle and an ”E PLURIBUS UNUM” riband scattered amidst a foliate design. The reverse of the blade has a sunburst etched just above the ricasso followed by a fluttering US flag, some foliate and a block “US” followed by scrollwork. Though not “frosty” the etching is clearly visible and in good condition. A strong and complete leather washer is present at the base of the guard.

The hilt has a highly detailed, two-line, cutout brass guard and knucklebow cast in one piece. Upper line of brass the guard features prominent letters “US” surrounded by finely case foliate. Bottom line has an intricate, foliate cutout design. The grip is covered in gray shark or ray skin and is wrapped with a very fine twisted brass wire. All is in excellent condition. Phrygian pommel cap is border-engraved with laurel and oak leaves. Domed cap is plain. Knucklebow and guard are tight. All brass wears a light patina.

The undented metal scabbard has been painted black long ago. It is obvious by the paints texture that it is old. Paint covers a few small areas of pitting just above the drag. The throat is of plain brass. The two mounts are brass scalloped escutcheons with ring mounts at center. These are decorated with laurel leaves. Both suspension rings are present. The brass drag has some minor indentations on both sides and is otherwise plain.

Engraved on the top mount is “PRESENTED TO CAPT. WM. H. HARPER CO. 41^ST REG. MASS. VOL. BY HIS FRIENDS OFSANDWICH MASS. AUG. 29^TH 1862.” Apparently the Company letter “I” was left off the inscription for some reason.

William H. Harper was a 42 year old hotel keeper when he was commissioned Captain of Company I, 40^th Massachusetts Infantry on August 22, 1862. He was one of the first men to volunteer for the regiment. Captain Harper resigned his commission on June 27, 1863. During his time with the regiment it was in the defenses in Washington, D.C.   [ad]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!