Truly handsome Civil War US Model 1850 staff and field officer's sword made by Hamilton Ruddick, a Boston machinist who became a sword manufacturer for the last two years of the war. The sword measures 36 7/8″ overall with a 31″ curved, single-edged blade having single wide fullers and 2/3 length etched panels on either side. The steel has a pleasant bright gray patina with sparse, mottled spots of freckling near the tip and on the forte; slightly darker towards the ricasso. The ornamental panel on the obverse has decorative filigree borders with shield and flag vignette, as well as a "H. Ruddick / Boston" maker's mark above the ricasso. The reverse depicts an American eagle and shield, "US," and martial panoply. The pierced brass hilt has an overall bright yellow patina mottled in spots with a brown-ochre color. Skillfully executed oak leaf and flower motif engraving is present on the single quillon and Phrygian helmet pommel. The dark brown shagreen grip is excellent, and has an intact triple wire braided wrap. The metal scabbard is undented, retaining nearly all of its original blued finish now turned to a mellow plum-brown color. The engraved brass furniture has the same yellow-ochre patina as the hilt, with a series of shallow dents on the reverse side of the drag chape. This is an excellent Civil War Model 1850 Staff & Field sword overall, and was one of very few made by a little-known Boston swordsmith.
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