Mike, From what you describe, it does sound like some sort of a Cavalry of Field officers sword, however with what seems to be an address on it, it could be some sort of presentation sword or from the GAR. Was the wrist Guard made of Brass, Steel, or Silver? What about the Wire on the handle? What color was the leather on the Handle. Was the Stars and Bird possibly the makers mark? If so, what was its configuration? Straight line, arch, circle, ect? Below is the title of a book that may help. It is kind of expensive new, but you may find it used on the net or at the library. " American Swords and Maker's Marks, A Photographic Guide for Collectors" by Clegg Donald Furr Keith Bailey ----- Original Message ----- From: <NPeters102@aol.com> > Keith: > > Nice to hear from you. The sword in question looks to me to be of the cavalry > variety -- not quite a wrist breaker, more like a dragoon. It is some 38 > inches long (32 from the hilt) & is slightly curved. It is in a metal scabbard. > The grip has wire wrapped tight under leather. The wrist guard, instead of the > single piece of an NCO/Musician sword, has three pieces. It is this that makes > me think that it is of the cavalry variety. > > As you look down from the top of the sword, toward where the hilt starts, > there are stars & what looks to be a bird, which might or might not be an eagle. > I lean toward the latter. It is not fancy or ornamental enough, IMHO, to be a > Masonic sword. Since Private De Caro was a member of the GAR, I thought it > could be of that variety. However, I have only been able to find pictures of one > style on the Internet & this sword does not look like those pictures. > > There is also the following address engraved on the blade just below the hilt: > > Frank De Caro > 168-171 Grand Str > New-York > > I take that to be an address in New York City, but am unsure. > > I look forward to hearing from you & to continuing this discussion. > > > Sincerely, > > Mike Peters > npeters102@aol.com > > > ==== CIVIL-WAR Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from list mode, email CIVIL-WAR-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com > and in the text area of the message, type only the word > unsubscribe > >