Cavalry saber. Curved spear-point blade with stopped median fuller. Brass half-basket guard. Undersided engraved: "Captain W. L. Curry / 1st Ohio Cavalry / 1861-63". 

Interestingly, the scabbard includes an early rope tied to the two suspension rings. 

William L. Curry of Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio, enlisted in Company K, 1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in 1861 as a First Sergeant and received a commission of Second Lieutenant in 1862. Later that year, he was captured and sent to Alabama until paroled. At the end of the year, Curry was promoted to First Lieutenant and, in 1864, he was made captain but not mustered.

After the war, Curry became involved in local and state politics in the Republican Party. He promoted compensation for veterans and planned regimental reunions. A prolific author, Curry wrote a book on Jerome Township, a history of the 1st Ohio Cavalry, and a paper on a raid near Atlanta that he participated in. He also served on the military staff of Governor William McKinley.

Another of Curry's swords, dated 1864 (along with accouterments, books, and ephemera), was sold in the Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca auction (Lot 156, Hindman Auctions, 12 November 2021). This sword may have been from the first part of Curry's campaign, bearing significant signs of use and dates referencing 1861-1863. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades]