The sword is a regulation Naval Officer's Sword in pattern, but it has an incredible 14k gold hilt and special presentation inscription. It has been estimated that only 40 American made swords with solid gold hilts exist. The "solid hand wrought gold" hilt is documented in "The Jewellers' Circular and Horological Review" on April 19, 1899, in the article "Art Jewel Work in Sword Making." The presentation to Commander Daniel Delehanty of the U.S. monitor Nahant and governor of Sailors' Snug Harbor on Staten Island is also discussed. The "presentation took place at Snug Harbor on April 8, with considerable circumstance and ceremony. This work of art was made by the Gorham Mfg. Co. for James Mix, jeweler, Albany, N.Y., the cost being about $1,000 [approximately $25,000 adjusted for inflation], the voluntary subscriptions of the citizens of Albany, of which city Commander Delehanty is a well beloved son." The sword cost more than 1/8 of his annual salary. The 29 inch straight blade is inscribed and gold washed with "Presented to Commander Daniel Delehanty by the Citizens of Albany New York" on the left and has a "PROVED/V" cartouche on the right ricasso. The hilt is 14k gold and has a sea serpent (dolphin) finial and knuckle guard. The inside of the guard has Coat of Arms of Albany New York and the Great Seal of the State of New York. The grip is gold wire wrapped ray skin. The pommel has a bald eagle encircled by 13 stars. The scabbard is browned with golden accents including thirteen starts, sailor knot suspension ring accents on the suspension bands which feature the Great Seal of the United States on the upper band along with Delehanty's initials and a pair of sea serpents (dolphins) around Neptune/Poseidon's trident on the lower band. The drag has a sea serpent on the tip and floral designs. The back of the upper suspension band below the mouthpiece has an anchor and "14K" over "8251." Captain Daniel Delehanty (1844-1918) retook command of Sailors' Snug Harbor in January 1898 following his service in the Spanish-American War. It was founded as a home for elderly former sailors in 1833. In Delehanty's time, Sailor's Snug Harbor served as a retirement community for approximately 1,000 former sailors. He was supervisor of the Harbor of New York and governor of Sailors' Snugs Harbor prior to the Spanish-American War and had been with the Navy since 1862 when he attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. His death in 1918 was described as resulting from Bright's Disease he contracted while in command of the U.S.S. Suwanee off Cuba in 1898 at the Battle of Santiago.

Excellent overall with mild handling and storage wear overall including an aged patina and a few slight nicks on the blade. The gold remains lustrous, and all the designs remain distinct. This is an absolutely incredible historic piece both in terms of its overall condition and its high quality solid gold hilt and fine decoration.