The sword has 32 inch lightly curved blade with patriotic etching on both sides, "IRON PROOF" on the base of the spine, and the Clauberg maker's mark on the left ricasso. The guard has a finely detailed bald eagle and "US" which are detailed on both the outside and inside. The base of the guard is also engraved near the handle which is finely sculpted silver plated brass with grape leaf and star patterns. The pommel has oak leaf and acorn patterns and a pine cone style cap. The scabbard has floral pattern brass hardware, twisted rope style suspension rings, a silver plated body engraved with oak leaf and acorn patterns and the inscription "Presented to/Lieut W. Proctor/by/Co. F. 24th USCT" between the suspension bands. Lieutenant William Henry Proctor (b. 1840-1917) of Fair Haven, Vermont, enlisted on October 8, 1861, in Company E of the famous 2nd United States Sharpshooters (Berdan's Sharpshooters) as a Sergeant and was promoted to 1st Sergeant in September 1862. He was listed as a student when he enlisted and was studying at Middlebury College. He fought at Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorville, and Gettysburg. He was transferred to the 6th Veteran Reserve Corps in December 1863. On March 3, 1865, he was appointed Second Lieutenant of the African American 24th Regiment of the United States Colored Troops and served in that position until September 30th, 1865, which served at the Point Lookout Prisoner of War camp and were later stationed in Virginia. After the war, he moved to the Midwest (Michigan, Kansas, and possibly Nebraska) before returning to Vermont where he served in the legislature in 1890-92 and worked as a special examiner and clerk in the Bureau of Pensions from 1893 to 1916. He was buried in his home town.

Fine overall with fairly bright blade showing some minor speckling and some small nicks at the edges of the blade, absent leather washer, mostly aged patina on the hilt, traces of silver plating on the grip, aged patina on the scabbard body, crisp engraving and designs throughout, and generally only mild wear. Overall, this is a beautiful and historic sword connected to a Union officer who served in both the famous Berdan Sharpshooters and the 24th U.S. Colored Troops.