Civil war Cavalry Sword. Our Regiment?

Question

This sword has been in our family for generations we use to have a Paper saying it was presented to Our great great great grand father Jacques Machaud. who was in The Union Cavalry. Hes from Massachusetts. The Sword looks strange its got A GA on it a anchor the handle has two cannon's crossing and on the front part like I said there's a GA a Small bag with 3 muskets behind it and a anchor. I ask This question for one reason What Regiment was he In and Why does the sword have such fancy markings? its not Ornate because we took to a Civil war Historian at getty's burg and He said its A combat sword yet it is Straight the blade is straight not hooked or curved? Does any one have any idea Where I could find out what cavalry unit he was in? Ive tried the Library of congress online. I cant seem to find any information we have a drum a canteen a sword and I have no idea what Unit he was in Please Id love to Know what unit he served in.

Answer 1

First, congratulations on such a handsome piece of family history!



There is no sure way to determine regiment just from the sabre, (unless it had the regimental number or badging engraved on it).



Straight-bladed sabres are known as 'Prussian pattern' sabres.

They originated from the straight bladed swords carried by European heavy cavalry regiments. The most common Prussian-pattern Sabre in the ACW was the 1852 pattern, but there were others.

Pic: http://www.smkw.com/large/knife/CS88PSA.jpg (modern reproduction)



I would recommend you try here: http://www.americancivilwarforum.com/acw-forums/



Identifying obscure ACW memorabilia is 'business as usual' for those guys!



Your description of the markings reminds me of this particular sword, from the same site: http://www.americancivilwarforum.com/need-to-identify-a-civil-war-sword-133204.html



(That one turned out to be post ACW, but don't worry, that doesn't mean yours is!)



These types are Officer's swords - a straight-bladed sword carried as a mark of rank by infantry officers. In US service, they were often referred to as sabres, although technically, the type is known as a 'smallsword'.



Hope that gets you on the right track!

Answer 2

Nathan Bedford Forrest become the perfect. I truly have examine many books on cavalry techniques because i'm a heritage buff. His techniques were used ever considering. First human beings idea that cavalry become lifeless with the creation of the motorized vehicle and the tank. Vietnam proved you probably didn't wish horses or tanks to have cavalry, you needed helicopters. suitable now in Iraq our cavalry continues to be helicopters. by skill of all of its varieties cavalry lives on, and it techniques are depending on the guidelines of Forrest. by skill of ways as someone i hit upon Forrest a real a**hollow, he helped sort the Klu Klux Klan.

Answer 3

Take some pictures of the sword, with close-ups of the details you mentioned, and post them on the Sword Forum:



http://www.swordforum.com/forums/forum.php

Answer 4

The defense swords like the cavalry swords, officers swords are used as ceremonial swords and presentation swords. http://www.windlasssword.com/collections/military-swords

Answer 5

maybe it wasn't a regiment sword and it was special made for him or someone gave it to him? if you coud post picture we may have idea or help you in search :) good luck