Sword

Object Name:

Sword

Object ID:

1988.013

Creator:

C. Roby & Company

Place of Origin:

West Chelmsford, MA

Date:

1862-1865

Description:

Presentation sword and scabbard. Staff and Field Officer's Sword, Model 1850. 32" slightly curved blade, single-edged, false edge, extending 9" from tip. Etched with leaves and vines. 22" wide fuller, ricasso to tip. 15.5" narrow fuller above wider fuller. Brass hilt. Fish skin-covered grip with twisted gilt wire wrap. Single knucklebow. Phrygian helmet-shaped pommel, decorated with floral design. Half-basket guard with two branches. "US" and floral designs pierced between branches. "US", floral designs, and flags etched on blade, obverse side. "C. Roby & Co. / W. Chelmsford / Mass" etched below ricasso, obverse side. Eagle, shields, and "UNION" in floral banner etched on blade, reverse side. "Capt H.C. Bacon 11th Regt. N.H.V." engraved on counterguard, opposite half-basket. "IRON PROOF" etched on back edge.
Scabbard, with dark-browned metal patina with two brass bands, two brass carrying rings, brass tip, and brass ring at throat, brass drag on tip. "Capt. H.C. Bacon / 11th Regt. N.H.V. " engraved on band at throat, obverse side. "Presented by the / Enlisted Men / of his Command." engraved on band at throat, reverse side.
A. Sword
B. Scabbard

Material:

Metal
Tissue
Brass

Dimensions:

H-5 L-37.5 D-3.5 inches

Provenance:

Presented to Captain Horace C. Bacon (1823-1899) by the enlisted men under his command in Company A, 11th New Hampshire Regiment. The sword was found by Michael and Pollyann Gamble inside a wall of a former tavern turned house they were renovating in North Andover, MA. The scabbard was covered with a thin piece of leather that had become very dried, cracked, and soot-covered because of its location next to a chimney. (Cover disposed of).

Credit Line:

Gift of Michael E. and Pollyann H. Gamble

People:

Bacon, Horace C. (1823-1899)

Subjects:

Swords, Armament, Civil War, Presentation