19th Century Militia NCO Sword

I suspect some may argue this is a fraternal, rather than NCO sword. I understand why – except for the US Shield, it would look just like those ubiquitous fraternal swords. American militias in the 19th century were often more social than practical, and the richer militias would purchase fancier equipment like this from catalogues – The same catalogues that were available to fraternal organizations, so I suspect there was a cross-over. Nonetheless, Bezdek’s “American Swords and Sword makers”, and Peterson’s “The American Sword” identify this style of sword as a “Militia Noncommissioned Officer’s Sword, 1850-1870.”

I’m not prepared to claim this is an American Civil War era sword, but there is an interesting thread on Sword Forum International that discusses these swords, and it seems folks there generally agree that typically, earlier swords like this have wider crossguards, a separate ring below the grip, and thicker, wider, shorter blades. Post-Civil war swords have narrower crossguards, the lower ring cast as part of the guard, and thinner blades.

At 4 ¾” width, the crossguard here would indicate the older wide manufacture, as would the separate ring below the bone grips. The brass seems to have traces of gilding. The grips themselves have noticeable variations in the vertical grooves, or “reeding” that I believe indicate hand cutting rather than machine production.

The blade is at least 3/4” wide at the crossguard (The shields get in the way of accuracy) and is 25” long. Wider and shorter than many, but not proof in itself. The blade is elliptical in cross-section and etched with floral sprays and military trophies – another indicator since fraternal blades often carried the symbols of their rites rather than military trophies. Unfortunately without any maker marks, I there are limits to what this blade tells me.