Sword Presented to Levi Force
Associated person:
 Force, Levi
Maker:
W. Clauberg
Physical Description:
metal, gilt (scabbard material)
steel (blade material)
metal (hilt material)
Measurements:
blade: 33 in x 1 1/8 in; 83.82 cm x 2.8575 cm
scabbard: 33 3/4 in x 2 3/4 in; 85.725 cm x 6.985 cm
overall: 39 in x 4 3/4 in; 99.06 cm x 12.065 cm
Object Name:
sword
Place made:
Deutschland: North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen
Date made:
ca 1865
Subject:
Edged Weapons
Military
Civil War Presentation Swords
Civil War
Event:
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*41929
Catalog number:
41929
Accession number:
149376
Description (Brief):
Presented to Captain L. Force by his Company
Description:
Formerly a sergeant in the regular army, Levi Force enlisted as a private
in Company ‘C’ of the 179th New York Volunteer Infantry in April, 1864. By August
he was promoted to Captain and mustered out with his regiment in June 1865. This
sword was presented to him by the men of his Company.
The blade of this Model 1850 presentation sword is long, curved, and single edged.
The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about two thirds of the way to the
tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated with scroll designs in silver chasing.
The obverse bears an eagle holding an "E PLURIBUS UNUM" banner, and the reverse
bears a "U.S." monogram. The grip of the sword is cylindrical and has a metal gilt
wire that wraps around it in a spiral. The pommel features oak spray castings on
the sides and a scroll design on the top. The knuckle guard is a strip of gold metal
with floral sprays. The counterguard is half basket shaped and bears an eagle with
a US shield and oak and laurel sprays. The knuckle guard terminates in a quillon
in the shape of an eagle's head.
The scabbard has three gold mounts. The top mount bears a casting of Columbia
holding a sword and a US shield. The second mount bears military trophies. The
third mount features a Union soldier carrying a flag. The reverse of the first
mount bears the inscription “Presented to / Capt. L. Force / By his Company”.
There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of each of
the top two mounts
Location:
Currently not on view
See more items in:
Armed Forces History: Armed Forces History, Military
Civil War Presentation Swords
Data Source:
National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
http://collections.si.edu/search/record/nmah_420958
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chapter 25
