PRESERVING AMERICAN HISTORY,  NATHAN STARR 1818 NCO SERGEANT INFANTRY & MARINE CORPS SWORD from the museum like collection of author Richard Bezdek.

This scarce US Model 1818 NCO or sergeant's sword is one of only 4,000 according to author Richard Bezdek made by the famous American sword-maker Nathan Starr under contract with the US Government. Initials LS indicate Luther Sage, who inspected only about 1,000 of these swords. These swords were issued to the infantry and 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