General William Tecumseh Sherman's Persian Kard.

Rare Persian kard, a straight, single-edged dagger that is worn on the left side of the belt, from the collection of General William T. Sherman preserved in his military trunk. The kard has a bone handle, no guard, and repoussé sheath with a floral arabesque design. A major characteristic of a kard is that the sheath partially covers the hilt. Ulysses S. Grant, a close friend of Sherman's, went on a "World Tour" after his second presidential term had ended. It has been suggested that Grant collected a few souvenirs for his dear friend while visiting Asia. When the Grant family returned from their trip, Sherman greeted Grant at a reunion held by the veterans of the Army of the Tennessee. In very good condition with the tip of the blade broken, the end of the right extended side of the handle missing and the left side cracked. The piece measures 19 inches.