This is an example of an inscribed regulation pattern Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer's Sword manufactured by N.P. Ames of Chicopee, Massachusetts circa 1861 to 1865. The sword has a 32-inch slightly curved spear-point blade with a single fuller. The blade has acid etched decorations with dry needle engraved high-lights. The obverse of the blade is etched with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on a ribbon over a stand of arms and colors. The reverse is etched with "US" surrounded by scrollwork and military trophies. The Ames markings are etched on the obverse ricasso. The regulation pattern gold-plated brass guard is pierced with foliate scrollwork and has "US" between the outer branches. The back of the pommel and down-turned quillion are decorated with cast acanthus leaves and floral designs. The shark skin grip is wrapped with a double strand of twisted brass wire. The scabbard has a browned steel body with gold-plated brass drag and suspension bands with cast floral designs. The upper band is stamped with the three-line Ames address. The upper suspension band is engraved: "Presented to/LIEUT L.B. CHURCH/by his/Chicago Friends" in four lines. Information provided by the consignor attributes L.B. Church as Leroy Church, an Patoka, Indiana man who answered the call to service in 1861, enlisting as a Corporal with Company H of the 17th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and mustering out in 1864 at the rank of Sergeant. During his time with the 17th, the unit would be engaged at the Battle of Cheat Mountain (notable as the first Civil War battle where General Robert E. Lee led men into combat), the Battle of Chickamauga (a Union loss with the 2nd highest casualty rate of the war after Gettysburg), and the Battles of Resaca, New Hope Church and Noonday Creek, with Noonday Creek being immediately before his recorded muster-out date of June 20, 1864. No injuries are listed, so presumably he simply reached the end of a 3-year term. While Church's exact post-war activities are unknown, it is recorded that is passed on in 1911 in Chicago. The identity of his Chicago friends and how he became a Lieutenant (possibly through police, fire or militia service) are unfortunately lost to time.

Very good plus. The blade has scattered patches of age discoloration and light pitting. The acid etched engraving is faint; no trace remains of the frosted finish surrounding the engraving. The buff leather washer is missing from the hilt. The guard has a dark, un-polished patina with traces of the gold-plated finish in protected areas. The sharkskin grip cover is in fine condition; all of the wire wrap is intact. The scabbard body has about 60% of the original brown finish with some scattered surface rust. The brass drag and mounts have a mellow patina. There are numerous shallow dents in the drag. The brass throat is missing from the scabbard. The engraved presentation and Ames markings on the upper suspension band are clear. This is a solid original example of a Civil War presentation Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer's sword.