Metal scabbard is in good overall condition. There are no dings or dents in the body. Drag, middle and upper bands are brass as are the carrying rings. The bands to which the carrying rings are attached are decorated with stars all the way around. The drag is plain. The brass throat of the scabbard is missing. All surfaces are semi-bright and consistent with age. On the backside, above the middle band, there is a small patch of what looks like old adhesive of some kind. The affected area is about an inch square and very slight.

The sword itself has the typical hilt for a Model 1850. Brass pommel cap is the Phrygian helmet pattern with US shield and oak leaf designs. The brass knucklebow has slit for a sword knot. Knucklebow wiggles slightly where it is attached to the pommel cap. The counterguard has floral designs and worked in “US” which is proper for Field and Staff versions of the Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword. Grip is fish skin wrapped with twisted wire. All is complete but the wire is just a little loose. All the brass on the hilt is semi-bright matching the brass on the scabbard. The blade itself is more on the bright side with some scattered mottling and discoloration more toward the point. The etching on both sides is faint but still visible. One side has the etched “US” while the other has the etching of crossed flags near the ricasso and a spreadwinged eagle opposite the “US.” Blade is import with no maker marks of any kind on the ricasso. Leather washer is present but flat and worn. True edge has some small, scattered nicks near the point. These are minor and can be more felt than seen.

The ID to this sword is verbal. It is said that this sword belonged to William O’Meagher of New York City who served in both the 37^th and 69^th New York Volunteers. With the item comes internet research showing that in 1906, Headquarters of the Department of New York, GAR, posted General Order #3 that listed names of soldiers people were searching for. In this order is the following; “Information Wanted… The name and address of any of the relatives of Dr. William O’Meagher, 37^th Regt. N.Y. Vol. Militia, in relation to a sword now in the possession of Sarah A. Tuell, West Sumner, Maine.”

A biography of Dr. O’Meagher from an 1896 New York Medical Association publication provided the following information; Dr. William O’Meagher was born January 18, 1829 in Killenaule, County Tipperary, Ireland. He arrived in America and worked in a drug store in New York and later graduated from NYU Medical School in 1857. He was mustered in as Surgeon of the 37^th New York in 1861. From 1864-1865 he served as Surgeon of the 69^th New York. A friend, Dr. John Dwyer said of his war service “O”Meagher was actively engaged during the war and was twice a prisoner, captured with the wounded on the field of Centreville , September of 1862. After his release he was sent on special duty to Fort Schuyler, New York and in December, 1863 he joined as Surgeon of the Sixty-Ninth Volunteers… in which he served manfully till the end of the war.

On May 5, 1864 he was left in charge of the wounded after the Battle of the Wilderness-was taken prisoner but soon paroled- he again joined his regiment, and as surgeon-in-chief of his brigade, performed  his last military operation on the field of Appomattox.” Some internet research comes with the sword.