The 29 3/4 inch straight blade has floral etching, "United States Medical Staff" on the obverse, and a motif based on the Great Seal of the U.S. on the reverse. The gilt brass hilt has "MS" for Medical Staff in silver on the obverse languet along with floral patterns and an eagle. The brass scabbard has oak, laurel, and star designs and is inscribed on the reverse between the suspension bands with "Presented/TO/M.F. Linguist, M.D./by his personal friends/as a token of regard" followed by "Sept 8th 1861" vertically and "R.S. Dunham/G.W. Dunham/J.H. Embree./S.S. Wandell./E.C. Serviss./N.O. Benjamin." with "Committee" to the side. Included research indicates that Dr. Maurice F. Linquist was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, and graduated from the medical university in Brussels and immigrated to the United States in the 1840s and served in the Mexican-American War and then was a surgeon during the American Civil War. He lived in New York and moved to New Haven, Connecticut, after the Civil War. He appears to have served in the Navy Medical Corps, including on the USS Powhatan, and he also made multiple trips to Cuba from New York on commercial vessels. The presenters are identified in the research as businessmen from New York City and Washington, D.C., with Nathan O. Benjamin, the last name among the presenters, identified as having a business at 424 Broadway manufacturing and selling swords and other military goods. Given this, he was likely the one who acquired the sword for the presentation.

Fine overall. Aside from a patch of mild oxidation staining on the lower obverse side of the blade, the blade is bright and has distinct etching. The hilt has crisp designs, aged patina, and bright gilding in the protected areas. The scabbard has distinct inscriptions and designs, aged patina, and minor wear. Overall, a very attractive and interesting Civil War presentation sword.