This sword has a lightly curved 29 1/2 inch blade decorated with primarily acid etched floral patterns. Among the etching on the right side of the blade is "McELROY & Co/Macon Ga." (oddly "W.J." is not present) and "C.S," and the left side has "Presented to Sergt. Kenan from A. Reynolds. 1862." The brass hilt has floral patterns. The leather scabbard has brass fittings. William J. McElroy of Macon, Georgia, manufactured weapons and equipment for the Confederacy during the Civil War. One of his partners was the brass founder Alexander Reynolds who also served as a foreman within the Macon Arsenal during the war. The identity of Sergeant Kenan is not positively documented at this time, but there are potential candidates for Sergeant Kenan in Civil War records. Two possibilities are Owen M. Kenan of G Company (Confederate Light Guard), 3rd Georgia Infantry, and Robert A. Kenan of C Company ("Floyd Spring Guards"), 23rd Georgia Infantry and also Company F of the 65th Georgia Infantry. Both the 3rd and 23rd fought hard during the war, including at Cold Harbor and the Siege of Petersbug. The 3rd Georgia Infantry was at Gettysburg and lost nearly half of their men. On one of the unit's rosters, Owen Kenan is listed as "Keener" (inconsistent or misspelled names are common in Civil War records, especially Confederate records) and identified as appointed to sergeant in October 1862 which would be fitting for this sword. He was among the men wounded at Gettysburg and was later assigned to the quartermaster department in Virginia before being absent without leave from October 5, 1864 to February 28, 1865. Their remaining 12 officers and 236 men surrendered in April 1865. The 23rd had 275 of their men captured at Chancellorsville and ultimately surrendered with the Army of Tennessee in late April 1865. Robert A. Kenan is listed with the last name "Kenon" in one of their rosters and identified promoted to 2nd sergeant on May 16, 1862, in the 65th Georgia Infantry, also fitting the presentation of the sword. The 65th fought from Chickamauga to Nashville and was then active in North Carolina. He transferred back to the 23rd, this time in Company C, on November 1, 1863, and was promoted to first sergeant and served until their surrender.

Fine sword with distinct etching along the blade, minor pitting near the slightly rounded, worn tip, mostly bright steel with some patina forming, moderate aging of the hilt which has some of the designs correctly weakly cast, and mild wear on the mostly intact grip. The remaining components of the scabbard is fine overall, although the drag is absent. This is a truly exceptional Confederate presentation sword that would greatly enhance and collection!