Marine NCO swords feature a cast-brass hilt with a half-basket guard; leather-wrapped grip bound with twisted brass wire; a slightly curved, single-edged blade with a wide central fuller and short false edge; and a black-leather scabbard with two brass mounts, including an upper mount with a stud for carrying in a leather belt frog, and a brass tip with drag.

There are occasional early mentions of purchasing swords for sergeants and musicians, but little is known about the designs prior to the adoption of the model with the distinctive stylized eagle head pommels and curved blades.

About this same time, in 1826, Marine Corps officers also began wearing a distinctive new sword of the Ottoman Mameluke style, similar to those worn today.

Also, the grips on NCO swords were wrapped with leather, whereas those for officers were usually covered with sharkskin.

[2][3] The sword worn by Marine NCOs since 1859 was also carried throughout the American Civil War.

The M1859 Marine NCO sword is the oldest weapon in continued (unbroken) service still in U.S.

The 1875 regulation now read “The non-commissioned staff, field and band musicians shall wear a white waist belt with sword attached to the belt by a sliding frog, except the Sergeant Major and the Leader of the Band, whose swords will be slung as prescribed for officers”.