A while back an online auction offered a sword described as the "US Pattern 1840 Indian Scout Sword". There is no specific pattern of sword associated with the Indian Scouts noted in any of the published sword collecting books. Several authors who are knowledgeable in the area of the US Indian Scouts are not aware of a specific pattern for the scouts.
The sword described is pictured below. It is similar to the US Non-Commissioned Officers Sword pattern of 1840. The main difference is the larger counterguard with minor decoration. The fourth picture shows a comparison to a standard US 1840 NCO sword.
The questions to the collecting community are:
Was there a specific pattern authorized or used by the US Indian Scouts?
If so, is this it? Where is it documented and described?
If NOT, what is this sword? Please give an alternate identification if possible.
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