High quality, non-regulation, Foot Officer's Sword inscribed: "Lt. Colonel/P.F./DeCourtnay" in three lines on the obverse side of the scabbard throat and "Artillery/CSA/1863" in three lines on the reverse of the scabbard throat. The engraving has an unusual Old English style lettering and does not appear to have been executed by a professional engraver. The sword generally conforms to the pattern of the U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officers Sword but has no visible maker's marking and does not match any of the swords illustrated in "A PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLEMENT OF CONFEDERATE SWORDS" by William A. Albaugh III. The sword has a 31 1/2-inch spear point blade with the unstopped fuller that is typical of Confederate made swords and sabers. The blade is plain and un-marked. The grip, like many Confederate swords, is covered with black leather and wrapped with a triple strand of twisted brass wire. The brass hilt has a down-turned quillion and two-branch knuckle guard decorated with pierced floral designs. The floral designs on the guard and quillion have engraved high-lights. The brass pommel has a prominent caspin nut and the back is decorated with a cast spray of acanthus leaves. The edge of the pommel is stamped with thirteen five-pointed stars. The distinctive circle of stars motif is also present on the underside of the hilt where a circle of stamped stars surrounds the leather washer, The remains of a bullion saber knot are wound around the knuckle guard. The scabbard has a black leather body with cast brass drag, suspension band and throat. The brass scabbard fittings are decorated with cast floral designs. The decoration on the scabbard throat, suspension band and drag closely resemble that on a Confederate Staff and Field Officer's Sword manufactured by James Conning of Mobile, Alabama, and illustrated on page 51 of "A PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLEMENT OF CONFEDERATE SWORDS".

Very good. The blade has been lightly cleaned and has a silver gray patina with scattered age spotting. The edge is free from nicks, The brass hilt has been polished long ago but has acquired an attractive patina. The grip retains all of the original leather and the twisted wire wrap is tight. Wear is limited to some scattered flaking on the leather. The original buff leather washer is present at the junction of the blade and the guard. The black leather scabbard is complete and in very good condition. Some of the stitching has rotted on the upper portion of the center seam but the seam remains tight. The scabbard throat, suspension band and drag are in good condition with a mellow age patina. A single patent leather saber hanger with brass snap is attached to the upper suspension band. This is a good quality Civil War Foot Officer's pattern sword that is all original and engraved with a very desirable Confederate inscription.