Riddabock, as a source for swords goes back to 1847 and was still in business up to the 1960s. Most of the swords were imported or produced by U.S. companies such as Ames Sword (by any iteration). This is an m1902 sword for all officers The guard is styled very much as were the French 1882 infantry swords. My notes and books for the 20th century regarding the m1902 pales in comparison to some of the gurus of the 1902 you might find at Sword Forum International. George Wheeler and Mike McWatters know most of these in and out.
That the decoration of the sword is horizontal along the blade, it was likely produced/etched by Ames during the M.C. Lilley ownership years. German made blades most often read vertical with the blade pointed up (The US, Eagle, etc). During the Vietnam War period and later, Air cav officers often bought/buy these when they "earn they spurs". This could be as new as that later period of the 1960s. It looks in great shape. Is there a scabbard with it? There are many of these on the auction sites and quite common. Some are etched with an owners name. Some are ROTC or other academy swords. It can be difficult to pin them down exactly in place and time but the two mentioned above are likely to determine more of a timeline. Plastics and composition grips are most often post WWI era but there were some earlier bakelits grips before that.
The overall spectrum of the m1902 ranges right to the top in different hilts and decorations (eagle pommels, silver or gold plate, etc.)I have an older Colonial model from between the wars periods and is a real cheapy but still a nice sword for slaying air and for decoration. Few were sharpened, except for the Phillipine conflicts (those are pretty stout swords, more so than most of these).
Cheers
GC
