This historic saber from the Civil War features a 36 inch curved blade with a spread wing eagle and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" etched on the center right, "SCHUYLER HARTLEY/& GRAHAM/NEW YORK" etched retailer's mark above the right ricasso, large "U.S." etched panel on the center left, "IRON PROOF" etched spine, and "W. CLAUBERG/SOLINGEN" marked on the left ricasso. The hilt is brass with scroll patterns and a foliate pattern ribbed silver grip. A gold and red sword knot is attached. The scabbard has scroll and laurel pattern brass mounts and is inscribed "Presented to/Lieut Geo. Krank./by the members of Co K/7th N.Y. Artillery/as a token of their regard for him/as an Officer." The 7th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment was organized in Albany, New York, originally as the 113th New York Volunteer Infantry in August 1862 and was re-designated the 7th Heavy Artillery in December 1862 and served in the defenses of Washington, D.C., before being sent into battle as infantry, joining Grant at Spotsylvania on May 17th, 1864. George, August, and Joseph Krank all served in the regiment. They were born in Germany and emigrated to Albany, New York, with their father after the death of their mother in 1846. George Krank is recorded as enlisting on August 15, 1862, in Albany as a second lieutenant in Company K. He was promoted on January 23, 1864, to first lieutenant in Company E. The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center's newspaper clippings for the 7th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment provides details on his service and the presentation of the sword. One clipping reads: "Presentation.—Lieut. George Krank, of Co. K, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery, was recently presented with a beautiful sword and shoulder straps by the members of his company. Adjutant Tremain made the presentation address. The Lieutenant was taken completely by surprise. It was a deserved testimonial, and is a gratifying evidence of the regard of his men for him." A letter from camp near Spotsylvania on May 20, 1864, by Major Springsteed provides details of Krank being wounded in combat at the Battle of the Wilderness: "We were ordered out this afternoon, expecting to march about dark for some point at a considerable distance; but a little after four o'clock we were double-quicked to the right of the turnpike, where the enemy had attacked our line. We advanced through a piece of thick woods, and soon met the enemy. They made a hasty retreat before our advance, and we drove them nearly half a mile, when they turned on us and we had a sharp fight, in which I lost, in my battalion, Capts. Morris and McCullock, killed, and Capt. Bell wounded in the leg (which has since been amputated). I also lost a number of men. In Col. Hastings' battalion, Lieut. Krank was wounded in the head. The loss of men and officers in my battalion was the greatest. Total loss, four officers and forty-three men killed and wounded." He resigned on August 19, 1864.

Fine with silver-gray patina, minor pitting, and distinct etching and markings on the blade; attractively aged patina on the hilt and grip, bright scabbard body with crisp presentation inscription and scattered dents, and attractively aged patina on the scabbard mounts. Overall, this is a very attractive Civil War presentation sword.