The blade on this sword is in excellent condition. It is bright and clean with no mottling or pitting. The drawn sword meas. approx. 38.00 inches from point to pommel. It has a stopped fuller that meas. approx. 21.00 inches with a secondary fuller that meas. 15.50 inches long. The true edge has two very small nicks that can be felt more than seen.

The etching on the blade still shows a little frostiness. The obverse etching begins just above the ricasso with crosshatching. It then features an ivy and thistle design followed by a spread-winged eagle with patriotic shield on his chest surmounted by a cannon barrel with flags, halberds and shields within a laurel leaf border followed by a branch of oak leaves. The reverse is etched just above the ricasso with C. ROBY & CO. W. CHELMSFORD MASS. which is followed by a thistle and ivy branch followed by a Gothic “U.S.” surmounted by flags, horns and shields within a laurel leaf border followed by a grape vine bearing leaves and two bunches of grapes. The etching on the reverse side is as nice as that on the obverse. The spine of the blade is marked “IRON PROOF” at the top of the ricasso area. Leather washer at the base of the guard is excellent.

The detailed brass hilt features a guard with cutout oak leaf scrolls and acanthus leaves and a single curved knuckle bow. Hilt features a grooved, center-swelled wooden handle wrapped in high quality gray sharkskin. Skin is bound with twisted brass wire flanked on each side by plain brass wire. There is a little bit of movement to some of the wire in areas due to shrinkage of the wood grip. This is minor. Normal seam is evident toward the back of the grip. Brass pommel is decorated with ornate scrollwork of laurel leaves and features a tiered domed cap. Casting on the hilt and pommel is well executed. Overall, the hilt is in excellent condition and is tight to the blade tang.

The leather scabbard is in very nice condition. The leather has a few crease spots but it is not in anyway weak. The leather is still strong with a mostly smooth surface.  It is brass mounted with ring bands that are unadorned. Drag is in nice condition but is missing its set screw. A close look at the rear sewn seam of the scabbard shows some lost thread but despite this, the scabbard is holding its shape well.

The sword is attributed to Daniel E. Burrows who served in the 109^th New York Infantry.

Daniel was born in the town of Deposit, Broome County, New York on July 25, 1842. He enlisted at Sanford, New York as a private in Company E, 109^th New York Infantry. He was promoted to corporal February 7, 1863. Burrows became sick and was admitted into the Fairfax St. Hospital on September 14, 1864. How long he stayed in the hospital is not known. Burrows was promoted to sergeant on April 11, 1865 and he is listed as present with the Company when mustered out at Delaney House, Washington, D.C. on June 4, 1865.

While Burrows was with the 109^th it was engaged at Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor and the initial assault on Petersburg.

After the war Burrows returned to Deposit in Broome County, New York. He married and raised two children. He was a charter member of the Lewis L. Eggleston Post #184 of the GAR.

Daniel E. Burrows died in Deposit on March 10, 1920 and is buried there in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Though Burrows was never commissioned he may have bought this sword out of anticipation of a promotion that never came or it could have been something he just happened to pick up along the way.

It is a very nice looking sword and well worth the price even without the attribution.  [ad] [ph:L]

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