The U.S. Marine Corps returned to its emblematic Mameluke style officer’s sword in 1875, having adopted the army 1850 pattern in 1859. In doing so they returned to a pattern first introduced in 1826, though with associations for many going back to war souvenirs taken in the First Barbary War and the taking of Derna in 1805.

The blade is slightly curved and carries a single broad fuller for most of its length that divides into two narrow fullers, nicely strengthening it for a thrust, about 12 inches from the spearpoint tip. The blade is smooth metal, in the bright, with good edges and tip. On both sides a central panel is etched with swallow-tail banner reading,  “US MARINES” between to foliate terminal motifs.

The brass guard with double langets and acorn finials has strong traces of gilt, as do the two star-embossed rivet caps on either side of the bone grip. The hole for the sword knot in the pommel has one of its brass washers; the other is missing. The grip is stable, but shows it was broken and repaired at the pommel with some visible cracks, some stains that are likely old glue, and a chip at the obverse lower rear of the grip just at the down-turned pommel. The brass strap concealing the seam of the two-piece grip, however, still shows some nice gilt.

The scabbard is the regulation pattern: nickel plated with narrow brass throat, rings and ring bands, the latter cast with a leaf design. The brass shoe-style drag has a raised rose blossom and leaves on either side of the blade. There is some gilt on the throat and drag, but the brass has mostly a medium, aged patina. There are a few light dings on the lower scabbard and drag.

This is a sword embodying a lot of history in a style that, regardless of any particular association with the Barbary Wars, announced the U.S. had international interests. [sr] [ph:m]

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