Union Army Uniforms and Insignia of the Civil War

Swords

Inspector's Mark

Civil War swords are often marked with the initals of the inspector who accepted them for the U.S. Government. This particular sword is marked on the blade and on the guard with the initals "J.H." for John Hannis, Armory Sub-Inspector. Inspectors' initals are commonly found on enlisted men's swords. Only domestic swords that were produced by government contract are marked with inspector's initals. Privately purchased swords, such as those carried by officers, would not be so stamped. Interestingly enough foreign made swords contracted for by the U.S. government were inspected by overseas inspectors.