Rare 1840 NCO Sword Variant

[ruhoos]

Picked up this gorgeous piece of history this past week in Gettysburg. It's not just a standard m1840 NCO sword - it's a 1858 New Jersey militia issued version with the significantly rarer half-counter guard variation. Based on records, just 150 of these stamped, "1858 NJ" swords were issued to the state militia. Sword is in really nice condition and displays some solid "blade-to-blade" nicks.

 

[bayonet]

Nice, I was able to hunt down a dated 1861 Collins NCO sword years ago because I wanted a Connecticut marked one. Also I might add that in Thillmann's book page 203 it states the first address line if curved is rare compared to the other 1861s as mine is!

 

[bobinwmass]

Very nice sword, especially if you are a New Jersey collector. But I don't believe it was made as a "rarer half-guard" sword. You occasionally find the counterguard on the side worn near the body removed so it wouldn't dig into the soldier's side (especially if wearer was on the heavier side). You can see evidence that there once was another counterguard, just like on my Massachusetts marked NCO.

 

[bayonet]

Very nice sword, especially if you are a New Jersey collector. But I don't believe it was made as a "rarer half-guard" sword. You occasionally find the counterguard on the side worn near the body removed so it wouldn't dig into the soldier's side (especially if wearer was on the heavier side). You can see evidence that there once was another counterguard, just like on my Massachusetts marked NCO.

View attachment 557963

So true even going back 100 years. I have 5 Rev War (and earlier) swords that had only half guards so to avoid rubbing on the equipment and body. Looks to be mainly a French idea back then.