The 25 1/2 inch, curved blade has "Niagara" in an etched panel on the obverse and "HARTLEY/& GRAHAM/NEW YORK." etched on the reverse ricasso. The hilt is brass. The grip has leather and twisted brass wire wrapping. Includes a leather scabbard with leather hanger. The markings indicate the sword dates to the 1880-1890s. The company was Schuyler, Hartley & Graham from 1854 until around 1880 when the name was changed to Hartley & Graham to reflect Jacob R. Schuyler's retirement and changed again when Malcolm Graham died in 1899 to M. Hartley & Co. The ship referenced thus is most likely the steamer launched in 1877 and purchased by the U.S. Navy in 1898 for the Spanish-American War, used as a distilling and supply ship with the U.S. fleet in the Caribbean during the war, and then sold the following year. The Model 1860 cutlasses were still issued during the Spanish-American War.

Fine. The blade is very fine and has crisp etching and remains bright with minor age and storage related wear. The hilt is fine and has moderate wear including scratches and dents and some flaking of the grip. The scabbard and hanger are also fine and have mild age and storage related wear including some crackling and flaking on the hanger.