Manufactured by W. Clauberg of Solingen and sold by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York, this sword measures 37 1/2 inches overall, with a 32 inch double fuller blade with etched patriotic decoration on both sides and "IRON PROOF" on the spine. The guard and pommel are cast brass, with cut-through scroll/"US" designs on the guard and a laurel wreath on the pommel. The grip is made from hard rubber, smooth on the front and rear with light checkerboard panels on the sides and a silver finished wire wrap. With an iron scabbard, fitted with brass furniture and inscribed "Presented to/Lieut. Col./JAS. BROWN/-by the-/Oakland Guards/Oct.10th 1864" on the upper suspension band. Mustered in Alameda County in September of 1861, the Oakland Home Guard (later shortened to Oakland Guard in 1863), also known as Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade spent the Civil War in California, originally in anticipation of a possible copperhead conspiracy to take over the state from the inside. This threat never materialized, and the Guards spent the war on drill and parade duty. Brown was the Guard's first Captain, and would hold that role until July of 1864, when his duties as Marshal of Oakland began to monopolize his time. Information on Brown is sparse, though some records point to him having been Iowa born, with a civilian career as a teacher and schoolmaster and a veteran of the Mexican-American War.

Good. The blade shows a mixed brown and gray patina, with some mild spotting and handling marks, and a similar but darker appearance to the scabbard. The brass shows some wear, with an aged patina, bright spots on the high points, and some crushing of the drag. The grip is very good, with a minimum of handling marks.