Manufactured in 1863, faint cartouche on both sides of grip, wedge a replacement, otherwise visible serial numbers match. Back strap punch dot inscribed "Dr. M.W. TOWNSEND, Bergen, N.Y." Dr. Morris W. Townsend (1827-1902) was an 1853 graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and settled in the village of Bergen, New York circa 1858 where he practiced medicine for 40 years. During the Civil War, Townsend enlisted as a surgeon with the 47th Regiment, New York State Volunteers, from December 1861 to June 1862 and was resigned due to ill health. He reenlisted and served as a surgeon with the 44th Regiment, New York State Volunteers from December 1862 to October 1864. According to Dr. Townsend's memoriam, "He participated in twelve battles, including Chancellorsville, the Wilderness (in which he was engaged in performing amputations for thirty-six hours continuously), Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor." At Spottsylvania the Dr. Townsend ordered exhausted General Grant to retire. It was recorded, "The General looked quizzingly at his presumptions adviser, said not a word but retired." Dr. Townsend was, as observed in his obituary, "an influential army surgeon." Townsend and Abner Shaw were the two doctors credited for saving the life of Col. Joshua Chamberlain from near fatal wounds caused by a minie ball obtained during the Battle of Gettysburg. After stabilizing their patient, the skillful surgeons inserted a rubber tube to replace the colonel's badly damaged ureter. Consignor research included. Among the research are copies of photos including Townsend with his regiment.

Good with a mottled gray patina, some pitting, faint cartouches, grip with chipped toes. Mechanically fine.