Silver plated hilt of standard pattern. Cast white metal in two pieces with the grip textured to imitate ray skin and japanned. Remnants of pigment remaining. 32” curved broad fullered blade of fighting weight, with inspector’s initials J H C (James H Clayton) to the ricasso. Nickle plated scabbard. The blade is from an 1860 pattern cavalry trooper’s sword, possibly a family blade or from the officer when he was a trooper. It is original in all detail but shortened to officer’s pattern with the point appropriately modified. As officers purchased and owned their own swords, these custom features are personalized to his order. Some officers, notably George Armstrong Custer and later George Patton, wore highly personalized uniforms and weapons. This evidently is a further example of that affection.
