CIVIL WAR M 1850 STAFF & FIELD PRESENTATION SWORD TO ILL CAPTAIN JUNE 1864

Description

CIVIL WAR  M 1850 STAFF & FIELD PRESENTATION SWORD TO ILLINOIS CAPTAIN IN JUNE 1864. PLAIN UNMARKED BLADE NO DECORATIONS.
Presentation Grade U.S. Model 1850 Staff and Field Officers' Sword Presented to Captain Joshua Pike, Co. G, 134th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
A regulation 1850 Staff and Field Officers' sword with a 33-inch slightly curved, bright blade. The blade has no decoration or maker's mark but has a recessed brass "PROOF" escutcheon on the obverse ricasso. The silver grips are wrapped in gilded-brass wire. The guard is a half-basked style with pierced floral designs and the letters "US". The blued-metal scabbard has a brass throat, two mounting bands and drag. The obverse side of the mounting rings are decorated with floral designs; the obverse side of the drag features an engraved Federal shield, eagle and "US". The reverse side of the upper mounting band is engraved "Presented to / CAPt. J. Pike. / Co. G. 134. Reg. Ill. Vols. / by his fellow students / of the / University of Chicago. / June 1, 1864".
Joshua Pike was born at West Jefferson, Ohio in 1840. His family moved to Barry, Illinois. He was attending classes at the University of Chicago but set aside his studies to enlist in the Union army on May 31, 1864 and was commissioned a captain. He served in Co. G., 134th Illinois Volunteer Infantry until he mustered out on October 25, 1864. He returned to the University of Chicago to complete his education.