Marine M1859 Sergeant Sword

[Richard E. Schenk]

Mark Cloke has posted my article on the Marine M1859 sergeants sword on his Old Swords site (https://oldswords.com/images/Marine Sergeant.pdf). This study of the M1859 Marine sergeant's sword is a revision of my article first published in the October 2018 edition of "Man-at-Arms" magazine. It includes additional information developed since that time, but the most significant change is a re-evaluation of when the Marines first added the initials "U.S.M.C." to the blades of their sergeants' swords. The conventional thought is the change was made in 1875; my analysis of the data suggests a much earlier date. If any readers have thought on the matter or can address some of the questions posed at the end of the article, I would welcome your input.

 

[redbob]

These swords are identical to a modern Marine Corps NCO (Corporal and above) sword-once you find a design that works, why change it.

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

These swords are identical to a modern Marine Corps NCO (Corporal and above) sword-once you find a design that works, why change it.

Pretty much. The modern swords have a narrower blade and different design on the etch, but other than that are pretty much like the original.

 

[bayonet]

Pretty much. The modern swords have a narrower blade and different design on the etch, but other than that are pretty much like the original.

reach out to Arizona Sword. He's had several USMC CW swords on his website. He might know.