41 inches overall, with a 34 3/4 inch double fuller blade marked "US/JM/1864" on the right ricasso and "EMERSON/&/SILVER/TRENTON/NJ" on the left. Fitted with a two-branch brass guard, helmet pommel, and a wire wrapped leather grip. With an unmarked iron scabbard. Included with the sword are a number of papers and items related to the wartime service of one Henry Laycock, an English-born mason and bricklayer who enlisted with the 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, serving from October 1864 through July 1865 with Company C, 8th Illinois Cavalry; among the papers is an muster-out form from the National Archives that mentions that Private Laycock paid for the privilege of retaining his military-issue armaments. The records also indicate that after leaving the Army Laycock relocated to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and was on the pension rolls until his passing in 1929. Also included are a pair of reproduction Confederate "shinplaster" currency notes (15 cents and 1 dollar), a reproduction Confederate 100 dollar bond, three Grand Army of the Republic reunion medals and a ribbon from the 1893 reunion of the 8th Illinois Veteran Cavalry in Chicago. Consignor notes attribute all items in the lot to Laycock, including the sword.

Very good. The fine blade is bright overall, with mild spotting, and the hilt shows a fine antique patina with mild rubbing of the leather. A deep brown color with mild dings and scuffs is present on the scabbard, and the medals and ribbons show mild wear and tear.