The etched blade has "NATIONAL/ARMORY" among the designs on the right side and "BREVET COLONEL E.B. WILLISTON CAPT 2nd ARTILLERY U.S. ARMY." on the left. The rayskin grip has gold wire, and the hilt is brass. The scabbard is nickel with gilded brass fittings and "SWP" marked chape. The consignor as included information on Medal of Honor recipient Brigadier General Edward Bancroft Williston. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Artillery on August 5, 1861. His Medal of Honor was for "distinguished gallantry in action at Trevillian Station, Virginia, June 2, 1864." He became a brevet captain on May 3, 1863, after action at Salem Heights, Virginia; brevet major after the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863; brevet lieutenant colonel on September 19, 1864, after the Battle of Winchester; and brevet colonel on March 13, 1865. The saber would have been presented after the latter promotion. He remained in the army after the war and became a major in the 3rd U.S. Artillery on March 2, 1885, lieutenant colonel on February 12, 1895, colonel in the 6th U.S. Artillery on March 8, 1898, brigadier general of volunteers on March 4, 1898, during the Spanish-American War, reverted to colonel in June 12, 1899, retired on July 15, 1900, and was given the rank of brigadier general on the retired list on April 23, 1904, by Congress.

Very fine with crisp etching, some slight pitting, and minor wear on the blade; aged patina on most of the brass, gilt finish present in the sheltered areas, mild wear on the grip, and minor flaking and frosting of the nickel on the scabbard.