The drawn sword measures a total length of 36.00 inches from tip to pommel. The steel blade is 31.25 inches long with a 13.25 inch narrow fuller and a 22.50 inch wide stopped fuller. The blade surface is semi-bright with moderate mottling and surface pitting over half of the blade beginning at the point. The true edge has four small nicks. Both of the ricasso are blank and the blade has no etching.

Complete thin leather washer is present at the base of the guard.

Weapon has a highly detailed, two-line, cutout brass hilt with the guard and knuckle bow cast in one piece. Upper line of brass hilt features prominent letters “US” surrounded by finely case foliate. Bottom line has an intricate, foliate cutout design. The grip is wrapped in a dark sharkskin with a surface that has worn through in areas. The twisted brass wire wrap is complete. Phrygian pommel cap is border-engraved with laurel. Face of pommel is plain at center. Top of the pommel has a worn floral configuration surrounding the peened tang. Knuckle bow and guard are tight. Quillon is round. All brass wears a light patina.

The undented blued scabbard is in fair to good condition with heavy spots of oxidation and a good bit of surface pitting. The throat is missing. The two mounts are plain but do have some linear embellishments. Only one suspension ring is present, the other is missing. Below the top mount there is a small separation in the scabbard seam. The brass drag is plain.

Engraved on the upper portion of the top mount is “1^ST. LIEUT. GEO. CHANDLER FROM HIS CHICAGO FRIENDS AUGUST 1862.”

Though this sword bears a presentation its lack of embellishments shows this to be an everyday work sword and not one to be saved for dress parades or special occasions. The missing ring mount, worn grip and minor scabbard seam opening all indicate heavy use.

George G. Chandler was born in Danville, Vermont on January 6, 1835 and was educated at Burlington and Dartmouth College. He graduated Albany Law School in 1857 and went to St. Louis to practice law. In 1859 he moved to Chicago and entered the firm of the Honorable William C. Goudy with whom he remained until the outbreak of the Civil War.

On August 9, 1862 Chandler was commissioned 1^st lieutenant of Company B, 88^th Illinois Infantry and was presented with the sword offered here. Chandler served with his regiment at Perryville, Stones River and Chickamauga. In the fall of 1863 Chandler became ill and resigned from the army on October 13, 1863 and returned to his home in Concord, New Hampshire to recover.

After his recovery he returned to Chicago and formed a successful law firm called Goudy & Chandler which operated into the summer of 1886 when his health began to fail. He traveled to Europe but the rest and distraction of traveling had no positive effect on his health. He died in Chicago on November 2, 1886. His body was returned to Concord, New Hampshire where he was buried in Blossom Hill Cemetery.

It was stated in his obituary that he was “a safe and sound advisor and was earnest, able, and faithful in whatever he undertook. Simple and unpretentious, he was admired by all who knew him and loved by those who were honored by his friendship.”  [ad] [ph:L]

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