[kino]

A recent acquisition. This is compelling to me, not just because of the blade but also of the affixed label on the scabbard.
There was such person in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War.
It would be impossible to verify if Mr. Vandermark, actually carried this into battle. It is possible that this sword landed in Cuba via a Spanish ship sailing from the Philippines during the inquisition, but really?

I think, earliest the label was placed on the scabbard would have been late 1963, that’s when the U.S. Postal Service amended the 2 letter state code.

Around the scabbard are small branches/twigs and a section of black coral.

There was another twist core Lumad sword blade posted here on the Forum a while ago but I’m unable to locate it. Perhaps some one can re-post a photo of it or post a link.