This exquisite M1840 foot officer’s presentation sword is a true rarity among antebellum and Civil War offerings.

The folding side of the guard operates as it should, while the fixed piece is inscribed “Presented to Lieut. Casper M. Berry of the Monroe Guards, Pa Volunteers by his Friends of Southwark Dec. 8. 1846.”  Not finished with his military service life and keen to defend his home state from Lee’s advancing army, Casper Berry enlisted in the 60^th Pennsylvania infantry (emergency militia) in June of 1863 where he was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel and served with the regiment’s field and staff command for the regiment’s full 3-month term of service.

The sword measures 39” in total, with a blade length of 31.75” and a fuller along the reverse edge measuring 29.8”.  The blade shows signs of repeated use - as the original etched floral patterning has worn from being drawn and replaced in its scabbard – but remains bright and the edge is in excellent condition.

The ornate and tightly wired grip is solid with little wear, but the hilt does exhibit some looseness, which does not affect its integrity and could be tightened or left ‘as is’.  Much of the original gilding is present on the pommel, handguard, and cross guard and covers intricate floral patterns around the pommel, handguard, and quillon.

The metal scabbard is in a wonderful condition cosmetically and structurally.  The darkened metal surface retains its finish with no observable oxidation while the brass throat with sword hook and the tip are free of tarnish.  The tip of the scabbard shows a few very minor dings and imperfections as expected with age.

A very rare opportunity to collect an identified piece of Pennsylvania, militia, and Civil War officer history.  [cm][ph:L]

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