US MILITIA STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD C.1840-60

Type which served in the Civil War as the majority of Union forces at the outbreak were the state militias. 25 ¼” double edged elliptical section blade conforming to the 1832 regulation. Brass hilt with cruciform guard and plumed helmet pommel. Reeded bone grip. These were privately purchased with the officer’s stipend and numerous variations are known. See The American Sword, Peterson, p.129 for three examples. Many were made with stars and bars langets for Northern militias. Those lacking that feature as here were possibly used by southern militias which evolved in the Confederate Armed Forces.