An etched mameluke sword and scabbard presented to Capt. George T. Garrison by the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The steel blade is slightly curved and has designs etched on both sides. At the midpoint of the PL side of the blade [U.S.] is inscribed in decorative letters and surrounded by floral filigree. On the PR side is a version of the coat of arms of the United States. An eagle with outstretched wings and holding an [E. PLURIBUS UNUM] banner in its beak flies behind a stars and stripes shield and is surrounded by rays of light. At the base of the blade where it meets the hilt there are two marks. On the PR side is a small circle with raised text reading [PROVED] and a fleur-de lis with a radiating pattern around it. On the PL side is the makers mark, reading [F. HORSTER / SOLINGEN] below a floral design. The words [IRON PROOF] are stamped in the bottom of the blade near the guard. The guard of the blade features the US coat of arms, with eagle, arrows, olive branch, shield, and [E. PLURIBUS UNUM] banner above molded letters [U S]. The guard is quite large where the blade attaches to the grip and narrows at the pommel of the sword. The grip itself is metal on the top and pommel, with shagreen, likely shark skin on the underside, lashed with a twisted metal coil. The metal scabbard is undecorated with a semi-circular shoe extension at the tip. It has two mounts with carrying rings on the half closest to the throat.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Garrison Family in memory of George Thompson Garrison
