The Infantry NCO sword was largely ornamental and they are rarely recovered when metal detecting battlefields; they were used in winter camp for dress parade. NCO's carried both a musket and often times pistol into combat, the NCO sword was an encumbrance that was not needed. Officer's used their swords to direct troops, thus the NCO sword was rendered obsolete except in the cav and artillery where they were issued regulation cav or light artillery swords respectively.
Most NCO swords found today are in fantastic shape, since they usually sat in a trunk in the battalion warehouse.