Sword and scabbard

ca. 1861

Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America

Steel, brass, silver, gilding; brass, gilding

Overall: 2 7/8 × 42 1/4 × 5 5/8 in. (7.3 × 107.3 × 14.3 cm)

Gift of Mrs. John H. Coster

1925.102ab

DescriptionPresentation sword with slightly curved, single-edged steel blade with false edge, three-quarter length fuller, and etched designs highlighted with gilding on obverse and reverse; gilded brass half-basket hilt with openwork design on obverse side centering a disk with "US" (with the "S" inside the "U") in relief, quillon with lion head finial, and twisted knuckle-bow; silver grip with parallel grooves wound with wire; pommel in the form of a cuirass surmounted by a helmet; gilded brass scabbard with two carrying rings attached to foliate bands in high relief, asymmetrical drag with scroll motif, and engraved decoration and inscriptions.

Markingsetched: on reverse of blade below hilt: "TIFFANY & Co. / NEW YORK" engraved: on obverse of scabbard between carrying rings: "Captn. John H. Coster" engraved: on obverse of scabbard between lower carrying ring and tip: "Presented to Captn. John H. Coster 1st Regt. N.Y.S. Volunteers. / BY Company K Engineer Corps 7th Regt. National Guard N.Y.S. Militia / As a slight expression of their esteem and appreciation of his noble conduct in / saving from drowning A. M. Stetson, Quarter-Master 11th Regt. N.Y.S. Volunteers, at / Newport News, Va. Oct 12th 1861"

ClassificationsMILITARY TOOLS & EQUIPMENT: SWORD