I have shown this to a number of major dealers and collectors that have proclaimed it as possibly the finest Richmond made Naval Cutless ever offered for sale. It is beautifull. The hilt and fish-scale grip are outstanding, the blade shows most of its original polish, the scabbard is virtually perfect with no seam tears or damage to the tip and the frog is solid. This is a wonderfull Confederate Cutlass that could be used as a study piece to compare the manufacturing techniques of all others. If there is a better one, I'd like to see it. Outstanding!