Beschreibung:

31" blade retailed by Tiffany & Co., New York, ricasso stamped with maker Collins & Co. Hartford, CT etched on both sides U.S. and E. Pluribus Unum. Brass hilt, brass ribbed handle covered in silver plating and wrapped with brass wire. Steel metal scabbard with ornate fleur-de-lis brass fittings. Scabbard inscribed on brass throat, Presented to Capt. Thos. O'Brien by Members of Montgomery Light Guard Comp C., 6th Regt. C.V. Ostensibly, an early Tiffany presentation sword with a history that, unfortunately, eludes us. Oddly, no officer named Thomas O'Brien serving with the rank of captain could be located in the Volunteer Register, 6th CT roster, or, for that matter, the state of Connecticut. The only Captain Thomas O'Brien found [see Heitman, 1965] was a regular officer who served in the volunteer quartermaster department as a gm from October 1861 until his death on October 25, 1863. His state of residence is given as Missouri. Our Captain Thomas O'Brien may have been a militia officer without subsequent Civil War service. Condition: Brass hilt has a nice dull uncleaned look. Brass handle retains ca 95% silver plating, but thinning on the outer edges. Blade bright, gently cleaned showing light stain spots and nominal areas of salt and pepper pitting. Etched panels are clear, sharp and legible. Brass fittings on scabbard have lost most of original gold gilt and have a tarnished look. Traces of gold still present in protected areas. Metal scabbard still retains most of its original brown finish. Inscription on throat is 100% legible.