It isn't often that you get a chance to own a sword that was carried by a Medal of Honor winner. here is your chance. This is the classic Civil War US Model 1852 Naval Officers Sword that was Presented to Medal of Honor Recipient Edwin Smith. The sword is crafted with a 28 inch slightly curved single-edged spear point blade. It measures 34 inches in overall length with a 1-1/8th inch wide ricasso with an 18-1/2 inch stopped median fuller and a 12-1/2 inch narrow fuller along the spine. The sword has the classic 6 inch brass hilt with pierced guard having USN relief cast in the face and showing traditional oak leaf motifs. The brass of the hand guard mas the cast brass sea-serpent quillon and pommel cap with a droop-winged eagle surrounded by 13 stars. The grooved wood hilt wrapped in sharkskin with eleven wraps of twisted brass wire. The blade is etched with traditional foliate, nautical and martial themes and in three lines on the reverse ricasso TOMES, SON / & MELVAIN / NEW YORK. The sword is accompanied by the original brass mounted leather scabbard with engraved mounts showing traditional nautical motifs. The upper mount is ornately engraved "USN" on the face and in seven lines on the reverse "Presented to / Edwin Smith MM / for Gallantry. / by his friends / of Jamaica L.T. / Franklin, VA / Washington, NC." The records show that Edwin Smith was born in New York, NY 1841 and enlisted in the US Navy as an Ordinary Seaman at some point prior to October of 1862. He was serving aboard the USS Whitehead during operations against Franklin, VA near Washington, NC when the Whitehead ran aground in the Blackwater River and found itself in grave danger. Realizing that the launching of a small boat under enemy fire to try to pull the ship free was too dangerous to consider, Smith volunteered to swim to shore with a line to pull the ship free. Smith was mentioned in dispatches for his gallantry and was subsequently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by the Secretary of the Navy. The Medal of Honor citation reads: "On board the U.S.S. Whitehead in the attack upon Franklin, VA., 3 October 1862. When the ship became grounded in a narrow passage as she rounded the bend in the Blackwater River, Smith, realizing the hazards of lowering a boat voluntarily swam to shore with a line under the enemy's heavy fire. His fearless action enabled his ship to maintain steady fire and keep the enemy in check during the battle." Later that month Smith was promoted to Masters Mate. That appointment was subsequently rescinded in March of 1865 due to illness and he was dishonorably discharged in April of 1867. Smith went to Texas and he was killed during the Indianola Hurricane in 1875. His body was never recovered but there is a monument on the Port Lavaca, Texas as a memorial. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society has a nice biography on Smith. Here is the link: SMITH. The sword is accompanied by a large binder or research regarding Smith and the action, with copies of period documents, correspondence with the National Archives and the US Navy and the results of the inquiries into Smith's service.

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All items are described to the best of our ability. Remember that the only true experts died 100 years ago. If we make a mistake we will make it right. It is always best to call and reserve an item as most of them are unique. We do out best to keep the web-site up-to-date but sometimes items sell out of the office or at a show and aren't removed immediately. After you place your order and receive confirmation from Shiloh Relics. The item will be held for 7 days for the payment to arrive. If payment is not received within 7 days the item will be placed back for sale. Please call between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM Central Time. A minimum charge of $10.00 will be added to cover shipping. Items can be shipped UPS or USPS Priority Mail. Tennessee residents must include 9.75% sales tax. All items are 100% GUARANTEED. If for any reason you are unhappy with the relic just return it UNALTERED within 5 days for a refund minus shipping charges and restocking fee of 6%. Layaways can be arranged on items over $100. Layaway terms are; 1/3 down and 1/3 in 30 days with balance due in full in 60 days. Due to time factors there are no refunds or price discounts on layaways. Only 1 item may be in lay-a-way at a time unless approved by Shiloh Relics. We reserve the right to refuse service to rude people. We are always buying and trading so feel free to make an offer. Thanks for stopping by! Rafael & Catherine Eledge, Owners of ShilohRelics.com.

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