Non-regulation Foot Officer's sword with French Klingenthal blade. The hilt is stamped with the encircled "three-star/E.L." mark of the importer Delacours & Backe of Paris and the obverse ricasso is stamped with Klingenthal proofs. The ornate gold-plated rococo relief cast non-regulation hilt is identical to the example illustrated on page 422 of "CIVIL WAR ARMY SWORDS" by John H. Thillmann. The hilt features an elaborate guard with an American eagle surrounded by a panoply of flags. The pommel and back strap have deeply cast rococo embellishments and the grip is white rayskin wrapped with twisted wire. The 32 1/2 inch double fuller blade is decorated with acid etched and dry needle engraved panels that feature a spread eagle and sunburst with "E. PLURIBUS UNUM" ribbon on the obverse and a stand of military trophies and "U.S." on the reverse. The back of the blade is etched with floral designs and engraved with the importer's name. The sword has a black leather scabbard with gold-plated brass throat, suspension bands and drag. The scabbard mountings have elaborate relief cast and engraved foliate decorations. This is a high quality sword that conforms to the general specifications of the U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer's Sword.

Very fine. The extremely fine blade retains nearly all of the bright and frosted finish and the engraved decoration is crisp. The elaborate cast hilt retains 70% of the gold plated finish. The ray skin grip shows light-moderate handling wear but remains excellent overall. The scabbard is very good overall. The leather body has age cracking and the stitching is missing between the throat and suspension band but the leather is solid and has no cracks or repairs. The brass mounts are very good and retain about 85% of the gold plated finish. This is an excellent example of a high quality, French manufactured non-regulation Civil War Foot Officer's sword.