See The American Sword, Peterson #10. One piece brass hilt shows uniform dark aging and surface soiling. 31 3/4" blade marked at the forte, COLLINS & CO. HARTFORD CONN. 1861. Collins is noted for making fine quality officer's swords and produced just 648 examples of this pattern. This one is further distinguished by the fact that the blade retains its original blue finish, now faded, a feature which is not required by regulations and not seen by us from any other makers of this pattern. As makers of officer's swords, Collins had the facilities for bluing blades whereas makers producing only standard issue swords did not. Good characterful example of a sword which served through the entire war.
