Rare 1893 Exposition Guard's short sword from the World's Fair Columbian Exposition, Chicago. This sword was made by the Ames Sword Co. and marked W.C.G. ( World’s Columbian Guard ) and serial numbered 1434 on the ricasso, made specifically for the Chicago 1893 World Columbian Exposition & worn by all of the Columbian Guards at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as their sidearn. At the peak, there were 2500 guards. The sword has a brass hilt with a black painted wooden grip. The pommel was in the shape of a half-globe, a theme echoed on the Guards’ buttons. The crossguard is two brass ellipses, hollow inside, that join at a quillon block with the letters “WCE “deeply cast into it. The blade is straight, double edged, and has a single fuller running down the middle of the blade until it tapers out about 6 inches from the point. The scabbard is black leather with brass mounts held on by brass rivets. Together with the original leather sheath. Total length 26". Blade length 20 1/4". The story of the World Columbian Guard is a very interesting one. The Guard was commanded by Col. Edmund Rice, who was a Civil War winner of the Medal of Honor for bravery at the battle of Gettysburg. The WCG was largely composed of former US Army Soldiers, many of them veterans of the Civil War. Intended primarily as guides, they ended up pursuing America’s first serial killer.