This sword's scabbard is inscribed "Presented to Gen. F. Olmstead/By the Military of Des Moines/July 4th, 1878." The presentation is documented in the Iowa State Register (now Des Moines Register) on July 4, 1878, which notes "Probably no man in Iowa has done so much for the militia of the State as Gen. Farron Olmsted." The general was taken by surprise, and the sword was described as "of beautiful workmanship and superbly mounted." Farron Olmsted (sometimes listed as Olmstead) was born on May 5, 1831, and fought in the Mexican-American as a private in E Company of the 4th Regiment Ohio Volunteers. During the Civil War, he enlisted as a captain in Co. I of the 22nd Ohio Volunteers on April 27, 1861, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the 59th Ohio Volunteers on September 26, 1861. He was at Shiloh but had to resign due to ill health on August 11, 1862. He moved to Iowa after the war and organized the Olmsted Zouaves in 1868 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was promoted on May 16, 1878, to brigadier-general and commander of the First Brigade of the Iowa Militia/National Guard, a position he held until 1884. He died on April 16, 1898, in New Jersey. The sword is based on the Model 1860 Staff & Line Officers Sword and has 30 inch blade with etched floral and patriotic motifs and "LIPPINCOTT/CHICAGO" on the left ricasso. The gild-brass hilt has primarily U.S. martial motifs, and the scabbard has gilt brass fittings with pierced floral patterns. Includes a letter discussing research into Olmsted incorrectly believing the sword was owned by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Fine with mostly bright blade with minor pitting/discoloration concentrated at the tip, mix of natural aged patina and bright original gold on the brass hilt and scabbard fittings, patches of minor oxidation and loss on the scabbard body, and generally minor age and storage related wear overall. A very attractive Indian Wars era sword presented to a veteran of both the Mexican-American War and Civil War and important officer within the post-war Iowa National Guard.