Hello.my name is Paul..I have a question thats been a mystery for about a year....I purchased a group of pieces last year and have been trying to find out some info about a piece.Thie piece is a civil war sword cut down...I have tried to find out it's history,but am somewhat stumped.This looks more like a knife,but done very good....It came in an old sheath...it's about 18" long and marked L.S...The blade itself has 1865 stamped on it and it's handle is leather with the wire wrap around the handle.It looks like an 1860 issue,that what some of my friends tell me and all the photo's I've looked at.Talso it's stamped on the blade is A.D.K U.S.The backside is worn and through a magnifying glass looks to be old initials of smf ....but can't tell who made this.we thought it was solingen but not sure.The brass butt end has the name of L.O Shirley with a..I guess a series of numbers..8 of them that appears to be35056733.It is not adorned with the piece that gaurds the hand...I really am stumped because I'don't know where to go for the serial number and have tried severalsites...when I google the name it always goes to the Famous Shirley house plantation of Virginia...It may have belonged to one of there roots but are not sure....could someone clue ,me in..I do have photo's..Sincerely...Paul

Post photos. That might help.

I suspect you have a cut down US 1860 model sword but I won't know for sure until you post pictures.
Jim