United States. An M1850 Presentation Grade Field Officer’s Sword, by E. Lyon of Paris

Of high-quality French manufacture being either made or assembled by E. Lyon of Paris, this American Civil War Sword presents lovely blade etchings with an ornate hilt and very attractive blued scabbard with brass gilt features. The slightly curved blade is single edged with a false edge extending back 160mm from the point. One broad fuller runs from the base of the hilt to the beginning of the false edge while a shorter narrower fuller is present along the very back, measuring 550mm in length. The obverse of the blade is beautifully etched with floral scrolls, and a panoply of arms, the reverse is similarly etched, and the back of the blade presents an etched leaf pattern with an overlaid dry needle inscription in French denoting the years 1860 and 1822. The obverse ricasso is marked with the French director, controller and revisor marks (S with shield, L and B with star). The thin red leather blade pad is in place under the guard. From the base of the pad to the tip, the blade measures 910mm in length and 33mm across the base of the ricasso. The blade shows minimal wear with light oxidation and minor blemishes. The hilt in brass presents a horn-shaped, ribbed fish skin grip wound with one twisted and two plain strands of wire, the pommel cap in an ovular shape with floral patterns around the outside, leading into a decorative face surrounded by snakes into a smooth bar up the back of the grip. The knuckle bow is beautifully decorated with ornate floral patterns and twisting brass. The quillon features the mark of E. Lyon of Paris (EL with three stars) at the base prior to curling into a floral scroll, while the hand guard features an eagle with outstretched wings atop a shield with banner below, above its head is an arch with multiple five-point stars with an oak and laurel wreath and flags behind, the reverse of the hand guard presents simple floral designs with plentiful negative space. The hilt measures 180mm in length from the quillon to the pommel. The scabbard is blued with gilded brass mounts, comprising of an upper and middle band displaying an oak leaf pattered brass band with a carrying ring on each. On each side of the band are floral etchings reaching down the length of the shaft, the etchings continue for the last 220mm of the tip, completing in a plain brass drag. The base of the throat is marked 2. The scabbard measures 965mm from the throat to the edge of the drag. A small dent is present near the tip of the scabbard, with some thin scratches and light wear throughout the whole scabbard, otherwise the scabbard in is extremely fine condition. The sword in its entirety (including scabbard) measures 1115mm. Footnote: Officer’s swords during the American Civil War display great variety, due to the sizable number of ranks, branches and arms of services, and the vague guidelines and lack of controlled designs during this time. Officers had to purchase their own swords from outside the government. Many blades or entire swords were manufactured in Europe, specifically Germany, France, Great Britain, and Belgium. There were no rigid regulations, and therefore officers of infantry, cavalry, artillery, and the general staff all wore the same general types of swords.