A fine and unusual Civil War Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword to Capt. Charles Davis Irelan of the 5th and later the 8th Maryland Infantry, “by the Members of the Maffit Guard Co. A, Public Guard Regt. Nov. 8, 1861.” Capt. Charles Davis Irelan was a Baltimore, Maryland man who joined the 5th Maryland Volunteers in September, 1861, and served with them as Captain of Co. A until March of 1862. He was appointed Captain of the newly formed Company A of the 8th Maryland Infantry on August 13, 1862. With them he served at Antietam with Kenly’s Maryland Brigade of 8th Corps, Army of the Potomac. He resigned his commission on April 27, 1863, apparently due to ill health. He died on February 12, 1879. Prior to the outbreak of the War, Davis had played a leading role in the formation of Maryland pro-Union Militia, including the Maffit Guard Company of the Public Guard Regiment, who played a role in the suppression of the Copperhead riot in Baltimore, centered on the Bolton Street Railway Depot. These same pro-Union men then formed the basis of the 5th Maryland Infantry, whose Regimental Armory was later built across the street from the site of that action. The inscription on the throat of the scabbard reads, "Presented to Capt. C. Davis Irelan, By the members Of the Maffit Guard Co. A Public Guard Regt. Nov. 8, 1861" Below the inscription is a Masonic square and compass. The sword is a U.S. Model 1850 pattern Foot Officer’s Sword of higher than usual quality. The blade has the inscription on the ricasso, “N.O. Benjamin,” along with an address that is only partially legible, “No. 24 Broad…” The ricasso on the other aide has some letters as well, that are not legible. The blade is nicely etched, with a large U.S., an American Eagle, a Torch of Liberty, and the usual leaves and florals. The gilt brass guard has the letters U.S. in it, which is less usual on a Foot Officer’s Sword. The spirally carved grip is wooden, with the remnants of sharkskin wrapping, but no wire remaining. The Phrygian Cap pommel has a rounded knob on the tang, rising 3/8ths of an inch above the dome of the pommel. The scabbard is leather with rather ornate brass mounts. The drag has separated from the body of the scabbard, but is present, and has interesting and unusual decoration. Dimensions: 39 inches long overall, with a 32 inch blade. Processing and shipping within the continental U.S $75 plus a 1.5% replacement cost insurance fee. Discounts given on combined lot shipping. The sword is in very good condition overall, although the drag is separated, and there is very little sharkskin remaining on the wooden grip, and no wire. The blade’s etching remains strong and clear. There are minor traces of rust along the blade, and the finish is scratched towards the point. The sword and scabbard mounts retain about 50% of their original gilding. The inscription on the scabbard throat is clear, hand-engraved and definitely of the period.