This sword is a knockout. The Large Hilted Heavy Cavalry Officers Saber identified to Arnold Augustus Rand, who served as Captain of the 1st Massachusetts cavalry and then as Colonel of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. This massive saber is crafted with a 37 inch straight, tapered, spear point blade with the deep dual full-length fullers. The blade is 1.3/8ths inches wide at ricasso. The sword measures a whopping 43-1/5 inches in overall length with a 6-3/4ths inch hilt. The handguard itself is made of Gilded cast brass three branch semi-basket guard. It sports the knuckle bow set with a pretty German silver starburst in the guard's face with a applied spread-winged gilt brass American Eagle with olive branches in its talons and surmounted by a ribbon reading E Pluribus Unum. The handle of the sword has a fine quality grooved polished wood grip with 17 wraps of twisted wire. Along the spine, it is marked in script indicating production at the Chatellerault Arsenal in August of 1856 and that the sword is the pattern of 1855. The sword is accompanied by its silver washed steel scabbard with two suspension rings. It is finely engraved on its front between the mounts, in three lines "Arnold A Rand/Captain 1st Mass Cavalry 1862/Colonel 4th Mass Cavalry 1864". the records show that Arnold Augustus Rand (1837-1917) was a 24 year old "gentleman" when he was commissioned as the 2nd lieutenant of Company F of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry on December 27, 1861. He was promoted to captain on February 4, 1862 and captain and assistant adjutant general on June 3, 1863, at which point he was commissioned into the US Volunteers Adjutants General Department. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry on December 3, 1863 and officially discharged from his former position to take the field with them on January 12, 1864. On January 22, 1864 he was promoted to full colonel and command of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. The 1st Mass Cavalry saw their first deployment in South Carolina in January of 1862, with the 3rd battalion (companies I, K, L & M) being permanently detached to serve in North Carolina in July of that year and the balance of the regiment being moved to Fortress Monroe in August and then back to the Virginia Theater of Operations in September. The regiment was engaged at the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam, and ended the year in the Battle of Fredericksburg. 1863 saw the regiment attached to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division of the Army of the Potomac's Cavalry Corps. The regiment was engaged at Chancellorsville and Rand left them to join the Adjutants General Department prior to their fight at Brandy Station on June 9. As Rand's new assignment had him away from the regiment, he was not with them at Aldie, Upperville or Gettysburg either, and he missed the Britoe and Mine Run Campaigns in which the regiment was engaged. The 4th Mass Cavalry was formed from the old 3rd Battalion of the 1st Mass Cavalry (companies I, K, L & M) in late December of 1863 and proceeded to Florida in February of 1864 where they fought at Olustee, before returning East operating at Fort Darling and the Bermuda Hundred before joining the Siege operations at Petersburg in June. They spent the balance of the year supporting the 10th Corps Army of the Potomac at Petersburg. Rand resigned his commission on February 3, 1865 so he missed the regiment taking part in the breakthrough and fall of Petersburg in the spring, including fighting at High Bridge and Farmville and being present for the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9 at Appomattox. After the war Rand worked as a lawyer and served as the Recorder of the Massachusetts Commandery, MOLLUS, 1881-1906, devoting much time and energy to the development of the MOLLUS Library at the Cadet Armory in Boston. He eventually become the vice president and general counsel of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, a roll he filled for some 20 years. He was a member of GAR Post #114 in Dedham, MA and died on December 22, 1917 at the age of 80. This is a special sword with a classic look and a solid identification.

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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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