Help identifying sword

[Georgiadawg]

Hi guys . Can any of you tell me what I may have here ? I didn't pay much for it so you won't hurt my feelings . I would appreciate any information you can give me . Thanks in advance .

 

[Salterr]

An 1860 staff and field sword. The pommel's flatness at the bottom seems incorrect for this type. They are predominantly post war even with that model date. https://www.horsesoldier.com/products/edged-weapons/swords/26662

 

[Georgiadawg]

So it's probably legitimately old but doesn't date back to the war itself ? That's ok. It still looks pretty cool . I just ordered Thillmans book so I'm interested look at it for information on another sword that I have.

 

[Georgiadawg]

That's great information Salterr , thanks for the reply .

 

[Salterr]

So it's probably legitimately old but doesn't date back to the war itself ? That's ok. It still looks pretty cool . I just ordered Thillmans book so I'm interested look at it for information on another sword that I have.

The war date ones have certain characteristics. This post might help clarify a little more. I'm not a sword collector so there will be others who can help far more than me. https://civilwartalk.com/threads/advice-on-an-1860-staff-officers-sword.185269/?amp=1

 

[Georgiadawg]

This is the description of the sword if this might help with proper identification.

Civil War 1860 Staff & Field Officers Sword, Blade marked N.S. Meyer, Defender Trade Mark, with USN Etched Blade, Germany, Proved. Engraved on all 3 sides, No Owners Name - wire wrapped shark skin grip, Eagle and Flag on Guards, One Guard is folding but missing the lock button, 36 1/2" Long

Looking forward to the experts thoughts on this .

 

[Old Soldier]

If it is USN, it will not be a 'Staff and Field Officers' sword. Strange one. A quick search revealled all the N.S. Mayer swords (NS Meyer Inc, NY) with a fairly standard US handguard and 'kinked' grip. This one looks very European - almost British - a court sword. The nearest I found was an 1860 Pattern Court sword, but differed in detail.

 

[bobinwmass]

It's possible that naval blade was married to the sword later. That pommel cap is not the type typically used on these swords, and in fact the brass appears to be a different color. I don't think it's original to the sword.

 

[Old Soldier]

That is what I got to thinking about too. A USN blade without an anchor on the hilt?

 

[Georgiadawg]

Thank you guys for your input . I couldn't figure it out either . There is an anchor on the blade and indications of it being navy oriented but it just didn't look like anything I've seen. It's still pretty cool to have . Would they often take the two pieces of different swords in order to create a new functional sword? I could see why this might happen if a sword was broken.

 

[Old Soldier]

It is definitely a US-sold blade (Made in Germany), but the hilt is not the original. It will look nice on the wall - if you like that sort of thing - and the wife will let you!

 

[Georgiadawg]

From what I can find NS Meyer didn't begin until 1906 so I don't think the blade is from the war period. I can't find any example of Meyer making a guard and handle like this one, so it must be from another sword. Meyer did make what they call the "conqueror" style blade, but I am not able to find the "defender" model so I can't really determine when it may have been made. Didn't pay that much for it, so it will be a nice wall piece as you say !

 

[bobinwmass]

Found one website saying the Meyer Defender trademark was registered in 1935, though that site felt it may have been used earlier. The Model 1860 Staff Officer seord was replaced by a newer officer sword in 1902. I think we clearly have a circa 1930 naval officer blade that was paired with an older Model 1860 Staff officer hilt. The hilt is from after the CW as indicated by the decoration on the folding counterguard.

 

[Georgiadawg]

Bob I think you have solved the puzzle. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate all of the contributors!

 

[R. Porter]

So what you have is the result of a savy antique dealer with some parts of swords in his shop and the Civil War Centennial coming up which will rachet up demand for for orignial relics. He sees that he has a blade that looks similar to the Civil War period model 1860 blade and a hilt that looks similar, except that the rear shell guard has dcoration but most new customers looking for Civil War swords won't know any better so he sticks them together to make a whole sword which he can then sell for $25.00 or more (remember, the Civil War Centennial was 1961-1965). Or, maybe it was put together by Bannerman for cadets to use in military school. Unless, for some reason, cadets at the USNA had a use for a sword like this, the way they once has a use for the model 1840 Army NCO Sword.

 

[Old Soldier]

Another quick research tells me that N. S. Meyer was registered as a New York company by 1906 selling 'Army and Navy equipment' and was later noted for its metal badges and insignia. This was Nathan E. Meyer, born in Washington DC. His father, Simon N. Meyer, had a company (S.N.Meyer) in Washington DC selling 'Dry Goods' (1872 directory) mainly clothing and was later included under 'Regalia'. He was said to have 'made medals for the Army since 1868'.

It seems that any blade with N S Meyer Inc on it MUST date from after 1906. Some sword blades are known to have 'West Germany' on them.

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Obviously a composite of a M1860/72 hilt with a replaced incorrect pommel cap and a late-date M1850 Nany officer's sword.