This is a nice original Civil War naval cutlass. It is the classic model 1860 that you associate with the Union navy of the Civil War. The blade is full-length at 26 inches with a pleasing look. At the base of the blade you can clearly see the 1862 production date stamped into the metal. On the back of the blade it has the scroll style maker's mark from the famous Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts. Ames was the premiere sword producer for the U.S. Government during the Civil War. When you look at the quality of their products such as this one there is no reason to wonder why. It has the basket style guard still present with a nice dark golden tone to the brass. On the inside of the handguard, you can see the stamps where it was issued at one time. The handle is still nice and tight. The leather is still partially present and displays well. The sword is accompanied by the majority of the original scabbard. the scabbard is the correct one that is made of a single piece of leather that is folded over and held together using rivets of brass. Because of this odd design the scabbards seldom survive. this one is well worn with some stresses to the leather but still displays well as you can see. The stud on the basket side of the scabbard has been lost to the ages. This is a good honest Civil War naval cutlass that has the desirable 1862 production date.