Civil War sword question

[moosedog]

I know theres a wealth of knowledge on this forum so i've brought a question about this sword.
I need to identify the sword and the maker. It has an etched blade with US on it and at the base of the blade, just above the hilt, I can make out the makers label to say "Columbus Ohio" and other unreadable words in a rectangular box. Hope the picture are good enough. I believe it to be an 1851 US Field & Calvary Sword.
Also any idea what it's value may be? I do not plan on selling it, it is for my son.

 

[moosedog]

I know theres a wealth of knowledge on this forum so i've brought a question about this sword.
I need to identify the sword and the maker. It has an etched blade with US on it and at the base of the blade, just above the hilt, I can make out the makers label to say "Columbus Ohio" and other unreadable words in a rectangular box. Hope the picture are good enough. I believe it to be an 1851 US Field & Calvary Sword.
Also any idea what it's value may be? I do not plan on selling it, it is for my son.

 

[s&wchad]

1860 Staff & Field Officers Sword

M. C. Lilly & Co? (They were distributors in Columbus, Ohio)

Worth $250-$300 if the wire is good (realistically)

 

[deadin]

What is the marking on the hilt (guard)?
It looks a lot like a GAR sword I recently sold.

 

[moosedog]

Yes Chad, it does look like M.C. Lilly on the second line. Any idea what would be written on the line above it?
Dean, on my hilt it has an Eagle perched on arrows? facing right.
What does "G.A.R." stand for?

 

[Amici]

Originally posted by moosedog: What does "G.A.R." stand for?

Grand Army of the Republic, of course. It was the organization for Federal veterans, as opposed to the UCV - United Confederate Veterans.

And it's CAVALRY; not "calvary." You're confusing warfare and religion (an easy thing to do!).

 

[deadin]

G.A.R. is Grand Army of the Republic. Kind of a VFW or American Legion for Civil War vets.
Their fraternal sword was fashioned after the Staff and Field Officers sword, but had a entwined "GAR" on the hilt, so it looks like yours is the real thing. Outstanding!!

 

[s&wchad]

It may have a makers name and it could be marked Solingen.

 

[walkinghorse]

And it's CAVALRY; not "calvary." You're confusing warfare and religion (an easy thing to do!).

Now that is funny!

Back on topic.....NICE SWORDS!!!! not that I know anything about them?

 

[handejector]

And it's CAVALRY; not "calvary."

Late at night, I sometimes have to stop and think about which word is which.
Let me share a memory key with you:
Think "1st Cav", or, if you are not familiar with the Viet Nam era, think "Custer and the 7th Cav"
For some reason, my mind always knows "1st CaL" just isn't right.

 

[moosedog]

Thanks guys, learned about my sword and how to spell too.