33" single-edged spear point blade with 19.25" fuller. 5.25" iron hilt with British infantry crowned hunting horn in guard. Grooved wood grip with shagreen cover and 8 wraps of three strand wire. Solingen maker mark on ricasso that appears to read FY Horster / Solingen. Obverse blade etched with floral and patriotic martial themes including a spread-winged American eagle and an E Pluribus Unum banner. Reverse with martial and foliate theme and a central US. Iron scabbard with iron mounts and two suspension rings. A silver shield shaped presentation plaque is attached at the throat that is engraved: Presented to Lieut. N.T. Colby / by Co. D. 23rd Regt. NYV / Jany. 25th, 1862.The sword is accompanied by an extensive folder with Colby's service records, a framed copy of a photo of Colby and a framed tin type of Colby with clipped corners. Colby authored a post-war autobiography of his wartime experiences entitled The Civil War Papers of Lt. Colonel Newton T. Colby , New York Infantry.

29-year-old Newton T. Colby was commissioned into the 23rd NY Infantry on May 6, 1861 as a 1st Lieutenant. 11 days later he was transferred to the Field & Staff of the regiment and one day shy of a year later, on May 15, 1862 he resigned. On August 11, 1862 he was commissioned the Captain of Company I of the 107th NY Volunteer Regiment. On December 31, 1862 he was promoted to Major and was transferred to the Field & Staff of the regiment. On February 4, 1863 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel. On September 5, 1863 Colby was discharged for disability. During his service with the 107th NY Colby's regiment participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Within a month of being discharged, the 107th was transferred from the Army of the Potomac to the Army of the Cumberland and spent the rest of the war in the Western Theater.