Arms, Armor & Militaria

32" blade length. 38.5" overall with scabbard and hilt. Single edged spearpoint tip blade with cast brass handle and brass grip with a peened tang. Model 1840 NCO sword featuring a flat clamshell guard with attached knuckle bow. Item displays a partial maker mark of EMERSON/&/SILVER/TRENTON/N.J. on the left ricasso with U.S. stamp on the right above DFM inspector mark of Dexter F. Mosman and a date of 1863. The knuckle bow features a further set of DFM inspection marks, with the hilt otherwise devoid of official stamps. Comes in an all metal scabbard for carriage in a frog and displaying a third DFM marking on the drag. The clamshell guard is inscribed on the right side Sergt. M. Doyle/Co. G. 5th N.J. Inf./May 3, 1863.

Born in Ireland in 1840, Martin Doyle worked as a merchant in Jersey City for the New Jersey Iron Works prior to the Civil War. Doyle enlisted in the 5th New Jersey Infantry on August 22, 1861 as a private, and served with that division until he was mustered out on September 7, 1864. The 5th New Jersey served in numerous engagements during the Civil War, with their first major engagement occurring during the Siege of Yorktown where it arrived on May the First, 1862, followed by the Battle of Williamsburg. In the latter battle, Private Doyle was wounded by gunfire and sent back to recover.

According to medical testimony provided by his friends and coworkers at the Iron Works, Martin Doyle's health had taken a poor turn during his convalescence, and he had begun to suffer from "A feeble condition and was troubled with a cough." Nevertheless, he returned to fight. On June the First, Doyle received promotion to Corporal, in which rank he fought during the battles of Second Bull Run and Chancellorsville. By May 3, 1863, Doyle was promoted once again to Sergeant, and two months later served with the 5th New Jersey when it was engaged during the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 2, 1863, Sergeant Doyle suffered another battle wound to the right leg, which kept him in recovery until December 15, 1863. He then fought alongside the 5th in three more major battles including the Battle of the Wilderness in May, Cold Harbor in later that month, and the Siege of Petersburg. Doyle was mustered out on September 7, 1864, and returned to Jersey City, New Jersey where he remained until his death on October 29, 1882, at the age of 42 of tuberculosis. The sword comes with a binder of research into Doyle's service record along with photocopies of the pages in which it appeared in John Thillmann's Civil War Army Swords: A Study of United States Army Swords from 1832 through 1865. Also included in the binder are copies of medical testimony provided by Doyle's wife, fellow service members, and friends attesting to the decline of his health while in the Army, along with copies of his marriage certificate and other items.