The family heirlooms include a sword that William Medill captured during the Civil War and one he used during the Gettysburg’s campaign.  There are also the dress and cavalry swords that McCormick used when he was a Major in the Illinois National Guard.  A Scottish claymore may have been handed down from generation to generation within the McCormick family.

Other interesting blades include an a skean-dhu or an Irish dagger, a Japanese Samurai sword from around 1700, a Samurai Hari Kari dagger, a Scottish Dirk from 1690 and a 6-foot long Persian blade from around 1600, which was used ceremoniously for executing royalty.

From left to right, the photographs on the sideboard are of: General Pershing, who was a commander during WWI; Robert Patterson in his WWII uniform; and Robert L.Eichelberger from the 8^th Army making a Memorial Day address over the Armed Forces Service radio on June 6, 1945.