Operating out of Trenton, New Jersey, James Emerson entered the sword business in 1810 and teamed up with Joseph Silver from 1860 to 1865 to produce blades on military contract. The saber has a 35 inch single edge double fuller blade, with "U.S./ JM/ 1865" on the reverse ricasso and "EMERSON/ & SILVER/ TRENTON/ N.J." on the obverse. The saber has a brass two-branch guard with helmet pommel and a wire wrapped leather grip. The iron scabbard has two suspending bands and "T" stamped on the left side of the drag.

Fair. The blade has been cleaned and is smooth with scattered age spotting. The brass hilt has a dark patina. The leather grip cover is missing but the twisted wire wrap is intact. The scabbard is fair with a dark patina overall.