PRESERVING AMERICAN HISTORY, AMERICAN US MODEL 1818 MARINE CORPS NCO NATHAN STARR SERGEANT SWORD . ONLY A FEW SURVIVE WITH THE SCABBARD, FROM THE IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF AUTHOR KEVIN HOFFMAN. THIS SWORD ORIGINALLY HAD A STRAIGHTER GUARD, ONLY WITH A VERY SLIGHT BENT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN BENT BY THE SOLDIER THAT OWNED IT OR LATER. PERSONALLY, IT DOES NOT BOTHER ME, BUT WHO EVER BUYS THE SWORD, I CAN REFER THEM TO MASTER RESTORER JIM BROWN. HE IS BY FAR THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY AND HE CAN STRAIGHTEN THE GUARD FOR A VERY REASONABLE COST. 

This scarce US Model 1818 NCO or sergeant's sword is one of only 3,000 made by the famous American sword-maker Nathan Starr under contract with the US Government.  These swords were issued to marine non-commissioned officers, and took part in multiple naval exploits of the 1820s, as well as the Second Seminole War, only to be replaced by their cumbersome and unwieldy successors, the ubiquitous Model 1840. Very few now survive, and the examples with their original scabbards are even scarcer. The M1818 non-commissioned officer's sword remains one of the most attractive issue swords in American history. Lightweight, sturdy, and comfortable, it was a formidable close quarters fighting weapon. Okay enough about the history now about the condition. The sword is in super shape for its age. The blade is bright unsharpened and is very nicely marked.  The blade measures 26 inches with the over all length of the sword being 32 inches