Sword
Description
Military medical staff rapier with gold-colored hilt and straight, double-edged blade. Etched with floral sprays and a ribbon engraved with "N.P. Ames/Cutler, Springfield, U.S." surrounded by wreath, and a bearded male bust of "Esculapius." Reverse is etched with floral designs and military trophies. Slender four-sided grip of gilded brass is decorated with beading. Tang secured with nut; knuckle-box beaded in panel midway below blade. It joins cross quillons which terminate in ball finials turned forward toward blade. Shell counter-guard on obverse only with beaded borders. Said to have been used by General Joseph E. Johnston (1807-1891) during the Indian & Mexican Wars, and during his first years in the Confederate Army.
Creator
Date
1861-1865