Mameluke sword presented to Capt. George Garrison by the 55th Massachusetts

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

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.

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