Real or Faux? Sword Real/Fake?

[joseph2025]

Hello all,

A while back while I was in Gettysburg, someone had purchased me a gift from an antique store where they sold Civil War artifacts including shells, bullets, swords, etc. In this case, I was given a cool sword that did initially come with a card explaining what it was, although its been long to time. I remember it saying something along the lines of an "1840 Musicians Sword". What I'm wondering is, is the sword genuine or is it a fake? I've attached useful images of the sword below. Is there anyway to tell?

The blade itself has inscribed to what I believe is "US", "LHK" (I think, or AHK), "1864".

The knuckle guard has inscribed "G.W.C" as well as on the bottom of the leather scabbard.


Thank you,

 

[scooter748driver]

First, welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums.

I'm away from my books at the moment. I'm not sure if that is a musicians sword or an NCO sword (the experts will be along soon to correct me thankfully!). But regardless it looks to be correct to me. Again, the experts will let us know for sure.

Thanks for sharing it.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. G.W. C. this is inspector George W. Chapman. A.H.K. stands for inspector Albert H. Kirkham.
Kirkham did in fact inspect Ames both NCO and Musician swords. Chapman inspected Musician swords, unknow if also NCO
US over A.H.K. over 1864 with other side marked Ames

 

[Kurtlg]

NCO. The musicians sword did not have the wide handguard. Definitely the real thing. I bought one at the Horse Soldier in Gettysburg many years ago

 

[R. Porter]

No doubt it's an original NCO sword. Just going from memory, the musicians' sword had a blade of about 28 inches from hilt to tip. It did not have shell guards to protect the hand, as appear on the sword in the original post. The musicians' sword had a distinctly different tip on its quillon from the NCO sword except for those made by S&K for the first contract. The sword in the OP has the NCO quillon. The NCO sword blade was in the 31 to 32 inch range.

As I recall, the leather scabbard was regulation. Emerson and Silver was the only sword maker to provide a metal scabbard for these swords during the Civil War.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Nice piece. An intact scabbard is quite rare

 

[joseph2025]

Thank you all for your kind help.