help w/ old sword

[matt45]

I recently purchased an 1884 trapdoor.  An old dress sword came along with it, and the seller believed they went together (I don't; saber/ officer, enlisted/ rifle).  I don't know much, however, and am probably wrong about that.  So any help you folks could give me would be appreciated. It is a G.F. Foster & Son, and I'm hoping the attachment takes to provide you w/ pictures

[St. George]

Someplace along the line, no attachment followed.

That said - it's likely a Fraternal sword - Odd Fellows, Masons, Elks,  etc - G.F. Foster & Son was a large supplier to those organizations, back in an era when every man belonged to a Lodge of some sort.

It's 'not' military - they weren't suppliers - but could quite easily have belonged to the original owner, if the rifle and sword came from an estate.

Scouts Out!

[matt45]

here is a picture- I hope

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[matt45]

...and thanks for the reply, St. George.
     I figured it was purchased on the market.  I'm waiting for the seller to get the old photo w/ the soldier- that should tell the tale

[River City John]

It's not Fraternal. 1902-1908 military or thereabouts, would be my guess. There should be some engraving on the fuller, perhaps "USA" or similar. Red sword knot may indicate Artillery branch of service?
Looks a lot like my Grandfather's sword from around 1910. He was a Major of Nebraska ROTC at U. of Nebraska around then. His has ivory grips, rather than the black composition. (They were in nice shape until a break-in of their home early 60's and the thieves used it to pry open locked doors and cabinets to get to silver, etc. Big chunk out of them now. Grrrr!)

But, St. George will have more accurate info, I'm sure.



RCJ

[St. George]

That's a Model of 1902 Dress Saber - private-purchase-supplied to military schools, as well as to Officers, today.

Quite often, the original owner's name's etched on the blade.

Scouts Out!

[matt45]

I heard back from the seller- the sword and the rifle belonged to Joe Cassell.  He died during WW-2 in Illinois.  Any suggestions as to starting points for research.  The seller has told me all he knows.

[Major 2]

http://www.familytreenow.com/search/genealogy/results?first=joseph&last=cassell&state=IL&smck=ubXDj-llScGBBypvjK-M4w

[matt45]

thanks

[matt45]

trying to get Joe Cassell's picture on this thread

[matt45]

Now, if I am looking @ this properly, Joe was an enlisted private in the cavalry.  The back of the picture has a note that relates he died sometime in the early 1940's.  The site Major 2 posted lists several daughters and a wife, who is listed in 1906 as the head of the household.  I am wondering if Joe ran off to the service? 

[St. George]

Unless you can unearth family, and if family will tell you their secrets - that's something you'll never know.

Ever stop to think that these were just things he'd bought?

Scouts Out!

[matt45]

that is where I am leaning w/ the rifle and bayonet.  I have a queries into IL archives, and the nat'l archives.  I'll keep you posted