Swords were not awarded to Yankee officers, they were considered personal items, and they had to be purchased by the individual officer. The regulation pattern for lieutenants and captains of infantry was the model 1850 foot officer's. Not sure what a "dress saber" is, but the design was dressy, the blade had etched patterns including the letters "US". The grip was sharkskin, and the brass knuckle guard is in a filigree pattern.

Also, the item is a sword, not a saber. Swords have a relatively straight blade designed for thrusting, while a saber has a markedly curved blade, use for slashing (often from horseback).