30" single-edged quill back blade with a full-length stopped fuller. Blade 1.12" wide at ricasso, with an overall length of 35.5". 5.75" hilt cast brass guard with open work foliate face. Grooved wood grip without covering or wire. Spine of blade etched with the retailer name H. Folsom & Co St. Louis Mo. Blade with French arsenal touch and inspection marks on the obverse ricasso. Blade etched with flowing foliate and martial themes and with the presentation on the obverse that reads: Presented to Lieut. Col. John C Black By the Officers of the 37th Illinois Inf. Prairie Grove, Ark. The etching is very weak and difficult to see or read. No scabbard is present. Three medals from Black's time in the G.A.R. are included with the sword. One is for the 33rd Annual GAR Department of Illinois Encampment, which depicts Black on the medal's face as the Department Commander for 1898, one is a National Staff medal from the 1904 Boston encampment, and a second 1904 Boston medal is included, a gilt and enamel Representative medal. The sword is also accompanied by a large binder of research and information about Black.

John C. Black (1839-1915) was born in Lexington, MS and attended Wabash College in Indiana where he received his degree. He initially enlisted in the 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry on April 14, 1861. The 11th was a 90-day regiment where he served as the Sergeant Major for the regiment. The regiment was mustered out of service on August 4, 1861. On September 21, 1861 Black was commissioned a major in the 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The 37th Illinois' first major action was at Pea Ridge, AR on March 7, 1862, where Black was severely wounded. On July 17, 1862 Black was promoted to lieutenant colonel. At Prairie Grove, AR on December 7, 1862 Black was wounded again. He was also awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions that day. The citation reads: "Gallantly charged the position of the enemy at the head of his regiment, after two other regiments had been repulsed and driven down the hill, and captured a battery; was severley wounded." On February 1, 1863 Black was promoted to colonel. The 37th served during the Vicksburg Campaign and other operations in the deep south, including the movements and campaigns around Mobile and Fort Blakely in 1864-1865. He was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General for his actions at Fort Blakely on March 13, 1865. He resigned his commission on August 15, 1865.

After the war Black studied law in Chicago and passed the bar in 1867, working as an attorney in Danville, IL. He also served as US Commissioner of Pensions (1885-89), served in the US House of Representatives (1893-95) and was the Commander-in-Chief of the G.A.R. in 1903. He died in 1915.