Presented to Gov. John M. Thayer by the officers of the first Nebraska Regiment in 1863.

Blade is made from an iron alloy. It is slightly curved, single edged with two fullers and decorated on both sides with engraved military trophies and floral sprays. Below the obverse ricasso is etched, "W.H. Horstmann & Sons, Philadephia" while the reverse of the ricasso is makred with an engraved "I" inside a shield surmounted by a crown. The hilt is covered with shagreen and copper wire going around the handle. It also has copper alloy sword guard with floral decoration and a pierced decoration of branches. The sword guard may have been gilded in the past as traves of golden colored layer remain on its surface. The scabbard is made of leather. It is covered with shagreen and has copper alloy mountings consisting of throat, middle band, and drag, all of which are secured to the scabbard by a single screw. They are decorated with engraved floral designs on the obverse. The reverse of the throat of the scabbard is inscribed: "Presented to Maj. Genl. J.M. Thayer by the Omaha Light ARtillery." The middle band is inscribed: "As a token of their appreciation of his kindness to that company in the Indian Campaign of July 1859." There are two suspension rings, one on the throat and one on the middle band.