The sword is patterned after the U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer's sword, though it is far more embellished than standard issue. The slightly curved, W. Clauberg made blade is approximately 31 1/2 inches long with 9 inch long etched sections near the center of the blade on each side, "US" and vines on the left and an eagle and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" banner surrounded by vines on the other. The gilded hilt is magnificent, with a sunburst style openwork guard, spiral D-guard with torch motifs, a high relief eagle sits perched atop the pommel, and the grip features a high relief Native American woman wearing a feathered headdress and skirt. The gilded scabbard has three high relief mountings, the top a panoply of arms, the middle a wreathed torch and scroll, and the bottom floral scrolls with a Medusa bust near the drag. Between the upper two mounting is the inscription "Presented to/Capt. Henry E. Fales/BY THE/Mayhew Guards Co. F. 10th Regt M.V.M./AND Friends of the Co. May 28th 1873". Henry Fales received his commission as a captain on 2 December 1873 as the commanding officer of Company F "The Mayhew Guards" of the 10th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. The regiment and company were likely a continuation of the unit raised during the Civil War and participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and The Wilderness. The regiment likely continuing in service to the commonwealth of Massachusetts after the war as a state militia when Captain Fales joined.

Exceptionally fine, the excellent blade is mostly bright with most of the slightly thinned gilding remaining in the etched panels. The hilt retains almost all of the original gilding on the guard and pommel with some mild wear on the grip exposing the attractive antique brass beneath. The scabbard retains most of the original gilding with some areas having thinned to expose a smooth grey patina beneath or an antique brass on the mountings. A magnificently embellished presentation sword such as this in such exceptional condition would be a welcome addition to any U.S. military collection!