Swords & Blades

SWEET CS McElroy-Made Artillery Short Sword

Beautiful Displaying, All-Original Example of the Classic W. J. McElroy of Macon, Georgia Made Specimens

And at a Price You Can Actually Afford!!!!

This is the classic W. J. McElroy of Macon, Georgia, exclusively Confederate wartime produced short Artilleryman's Sword, modeled after the US Model 1832 Artillery Short Sword--which was a direct copy of the French Model 1831!  Clearly, the French (and then we) based this sword's design on a very sound, tried, and true-tested fighting sword--the Roman "Gladiator" sword.  But what both the French, US, and CS soldiers all found-out alike is that they proved to be far more useful as cutting/utilitarian tools in camp than they ever would be in actual combat!  The French nick-named them "cabbage-cutters," since that was all they were about good for!  They were heavy at the sides of the gunners, and again, rarely did the gunners worry about standing at the wheels to fight-off cavalrymen or infantrymen with much more deadly and longer weapons!  Thus, both the US and CS would quickly stop producing them, and often are found by relic hunters discarded in campsites, or altered into shorter fighting knives, and even tools.  The McElroy-made Artillery Short Sword specimens all bear the same classic traits of the "ringed" style of handle, style of pommel cap, and the machined inset of the "T" guard that are solely attributed to McElroy-made specimens.  The brass is absolutely GORGEOUS, with NO DAMAGE to the ringing.  The classically-crude machined-out "T" guard is ever-present, and "whistles Dixie" and a "Rebel Yell" every time you look at it (ha, ha!)  The also cruder-finished classic southern quality of finish to the 17.5" full-length blade is present on the entirely unpitted, undamaged, and unrepaired blade.  Only a couple expected in-the-field, actual usage nicks on the blade, and THAT IS IT!  The "T" handle only proves that this short sword came in quite handy as a tool, as the "T" ends are slightly bent backward.  It doesn't take too much to make soft metal--in this case, the brass handle--to move.  Clearly, the artilleryman found a much more useful purpose for the sword as a tool than to thrust it at Yankee's!

And we save the best for last!  THE PRICE!!

$1598

Stern-Faced, Red-Legged Confederate Artilleryman, Proudly Brandishing His CS-MADE Artillery Short Sword

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Beautiful Boyle, Gamble & Macfee CS Foot Officer's Sword

All-Original, Untouched, Uncleaned, Unsharpened, Intact Wire & Wrap

THE Classic Confederate-Made Foot Officer's Sword from the Famous Richmond, Virginia Manufacturer

There isn't a real "collector" alive out there that doesn't have a very soft and warm spot in his heart when it comes to a Confederate-made Foot Officer's sword.  Some "on-the-line" and "in-the-field" Confederate officer bore this steely blade into battle--extolling his men forward into whirlwinds of death and chaos while raising this sword high in the glimmering sunlight of smoke-choked fields across many a bloody plain.  This version of Foot Officer's sword isn't the "fancy", ornate, "hoity-toity" and frilly kind that staff officers--well behind the buzzing bullets and exploding hail of iron from cannon--were issued.  No, this is the the elegantly simple 3-tine basket guard version that your real FIGHTING officers were issued and used....until the very bitter end.  Unlike the plethora of other CS blades out there that you will always have to wonder whether it's been "monkeyed" with or not, it is not so with this one.  It is 100% original, intact, full-length, original wire and wrap, with the most pleasing mellowed CS brass (higher copper content) patina to the handle, and steely-grey appearance to the untouched metal.  The full-length, un-sharpened blade measures exactly 30", with NO damage or nicks, and that almost indescribable BEAUTIFUL untouched dark-gray patina evenly across the entire blade.  Totally UNTOUCHED.  The blade is 100% tight with the grip/handle.  The original leather wrap is present, though obviously shows the MOST MINOR true battlefield and campaign wear and thinning that can only come from a real "war vet" out on the line.  Can't fake that.  And don't want it "perfect," or you'd know it was never drawn in anger and defense of our beloved Southland.  The original wire is firmly intact at both ends, and is totally "righteous" in every aspect.  I've used professional museum leather wax, enricher, and preserver on the wrap to make sure we keep this baby preserved for generations to come.  After all, we really don't "own" these irreplaceable pieces of history.  After we die, they will literally "live on"--outliving us, so-to-speak, and going to another generation for it's story to be told and it's meaning understood and endeared.  We are but mere temporary "caretakers" of these historically priceless relics.

Here's your best shot to own a truly intact, all-original, and classic Boyle, Gamble, & Macfee of Richmond, Virginia Confederate-made Foot Officer's saber---Confederate steel for a "steal!"

$2898

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Phenomenal CS (?)/Local-Made Pike

Made Crudely From Old Bayonet, Crudely Hand-Forged

A "One-Of-A-Kind", Ultra-Rare Piece!!!

Straight From the Famous Thomas F. Adlon Collection

22" total length, 16.5" Pike Blade Length

This is a SUPER-COOL original 19th century Pike, coming from one of the largest and most noted collectors of 19th century warfare militaria, the late Mr. Thomas F. Adlon collection.  As you will quickly realize in the photo's below, this a a 100% original, crudely-forged and fashioned MASSIVE pike, that was blacksmith altered/produced by utilizing an old bayonet (appears to be an British Enfield-style or even Brown Bess style bayonet, based on shape, blood groove, etc), with crude "T" bar, and cruder-still attachment base.  These bear ALL THE CLASSIC, ARCHETYPICAL CONFEDERATE TRAITS...and we certainly KNOW that the Confederates utilized Pikes!  (i.e. Governor of Georgia Joe Brown Pikes, etc.)  The age of this pike is clearly of the mid-19th century, and may possibly be even earlier--no one knows, as it is truly "one-of-a-kind"!  But it is 100% original, coming form Mr. Adlon's collection, and I personally having bought it through Mr. Raphael Eledge of Shiloh Relics.  I can't see who else on the American continent was making and using Pikes--making them so crudely--other than the Confederates, so common sense and deduction by logic certainly leans me to believe this is a Johnny Reb, classically crude and "made out of desperation" Pike...whether for Infantry use or Naval use.  The Yankee's didn't make this....the Indians didn't make this....so once again, logic deduces the highest probability of being a "Johnny" weapon, given it bears all the traits and facets of Southern desperation and crudeness, and actual use of Pikes!

Regardless, it is a phenomenal piece of history, coming from a most historic collection, and would be an incredible addition to any Civil War or earlier American militaria collection!

$898

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FLAWLESS CS McElroy-Made Artillery Short Sword

Gorgeous, Untouched Example of the Classic W. J. McElroy of Macon, Georgia Made Specimens

Originally sold through Rick Burton back in 1998, I had the opportunity to acquire this truly stunning example of the W. J. McElroy of Macon, Georgia made Confederate Short Artillery Swords, and sold it to a dear friend of mine in Georgia at the time.  Back then, these beauties were commanding prices of well over $3000---and some sites still have them priced and selling over $3000!  Sadly, as the the economy has hit hard for many folks, they have been forced to let go of these once treasured centerpieces of their collections....and for a LOT LESS than they paid for them!  This is the classic McElroy "ringed" style of handle, style of pommel cap, and the machined inset of the "T" guard that are solely attributed to McElroy-made specimens.  There has been NO CLEANING, NO SHARPENING, and NO DAMAGE to the blade, nor the brass handle WHATSOEVER.  The blade metal has the smoothest, unpitted, softened grey untouched patina you could ever hope to find--NO oxidation whatsoever.   The brass handle is the most pleasing and gorgeous mellowed brass patina you could ever wish to find on a Confederate specimen--and clearly an early-made piece, as the zinc content was still very high (later specimens would have far lesss zinc, and thus the high copper content of the brass would make them "red" in patina appearance).  It is truly an outstanding example, museum-quality in my opinion, and certainly would not require any need for someone to "upgrade" at a later date, at least in my humble opinion.  W. J. McElroy was a tinsmith prior to the War in Macon, Georgia, and quickly began sword production as war broke-out in 1861.  At his highest point, he was producing 20 infantry swords, Bowie knives, vanal cutlasses, Sergeant's swords, sword belts, straps, belt clasps and mountings per week.  He even produced up to 50 cavalry spurs made of brass per week, and an unknown quantity of canteens and bayonets (per "Confederate Arms" by William Albaugh and Edward Simmons.)

None finer out there...and certainly NONE CHEAPER!

$2599

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Beautiful 1863 Ames M1860 Cavalry Sword & Scabbard

100% Complete, Original, Tight Original Wire & Wrap

Vividly Clear Ricasso Ames Maker's Markings, as well as "US", Inspector Mark, and "1863" Date

Tired of seeing swords that have been re-wrapped, re-wired, and "monkeyed" with?  Tired of 1864 and 1865 swords at high prices?  Then rest your eyes on this most excellent, untouched, 100% original and complete Ames beauty!  From arguably the most collectable (in today's market), and considered "cutting-edge" high quality manufacturers of their time, The Ames Manufacturing Company produced, as well as was on the technological "edge" of design of swords for the United States armed forces, well before the Civil War.  This one is a classic beauty--being 100% complete, with NO REPAIRS, NO DAMAGE, NO REPLACEMENT PARTS, and NO APOLOGIES.  It is a clearly issued and used specimen, having the typical "anti-rattle" dings in the scabbard that the troopers would put on the scabbard (to hold the sword snug, and keep from rattling his ears off!)  Even the original throat leather washer is fully present!  The metal all over has the classic "attic fine" and 100% UNCLEANED and UNTOUCHED patina of that steely-grey.  No sharpened or damaged edge whatsoever.  The original leather wire and wrap are complete, tight, and as you see i the photo's, just SPLENDID.  I think the really coolest facet to this sword is the very high copper content in the brass--something you expect to find in CS swords (higher copper/less zinc, thus a redder patina to the brass was normal for the South, given zinc was so very rare to acquire), but this Ames beauty bears that beautiful reddish, mellowed brass hue that you typically see on all your Johnny blades.  Gorgeous.  ALL of the markings on the ricasso are clear, from the Ames maker's mark on one side, to the "US", inspector's initials, and that large, ever-looming "1863" date on the other side!  You see a ton of 1864's and 1865's...but as you know...the lower the date, the rarer, the fewer, the more collectable, and more desirable.

And here she is!  Priced like other people price M1840 Wristbreaker's, you can have this beauty and save hundreds...

$899

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Gorgeous Original RARE Confederate Beauty!

"Type I" Froelich Cavalry Sword & Scabbard

Late 1861 Wilmington, NC Production Specimen

100% Intact Leather Wrap & Brass Wire

Most EXCELLENT Metal, Leather, Blade, Brass, Fantastically Archetypical Crude Lap Mold Seam and Brass Sword Hanger Mounts on Scabbard

Though called in the collecting community as a "Type I Kenansville" heavy cavalry sword & Scabbard, this extremely early-war (late 1861) and rare wartime sword produced by Louis Froelich was actually produced at his first facility in Wilmington, North Carolina--never being made at the later famous Froelich Kenansville, North Carolina facility.  These were clear Confederate copies of the sturdy, reliable, and highly effective in sword-to-sword combat Model 1840 "Wristbreaker" Heavy Cavalry Saber.  As the many fine photo's show below, this specimen is in gorgeous complete original condition and most beautiful appearance.  The 100% intact leather wrap and brass simple wire are COMPLETELY tight, undamaged, unbroken, and solid--just as solid as the blade to the handle...no wobble or damage whatsoever.  Even the unsharpened, un-stopped fuller, full-length 34" blade has NO DAMAGE and NO NICKS to the smooth, dark, steely-gray metal whatsoever.  The Confederate-classic brass sword hanger mounts, and SCREAMING crude lap mold seam running down the entire length of the scabbard are superb.  The sword fits SNUG like a glove with the scabbard, and there is NO DAMAGE or REPAIRS or APOLOGIES whatsoever with the scabbard---NO PITTING or oxidation...and in fact, some of the original red paint has left a feint red hue to the scabbard!!!!  Now THAT tells you the metal quality and condition we're talking about here!  The "XI" on the brass scabbard throat is clearly visible, though the usual matching Roman Numeral on the tine or side of the guard are too feint.  We know these to be the early Froelich/ "Type I" model, due to the smaller pommel and flatter basket, which is from a casting flaw in the casting process (see Mr. Shannon Pritchard's most EXCELLENT description from the "must-have" Confederate collector's reference book, "Collecting the Confederacy", on page 105.)  Even the nice sand-casting inclusions into the basket.....it's as Johnny Reb as they come.

No need to get a loan or sell your car to afford to put this classic, extremely scarce and early production Confederate Cavalryman's blade!

$2998 Sale Pending

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SWEET Original Model 1840 "Wristbreaker" Sword

Beautiful CR Kirschbaum (Germanic) Imported Blade

Classic Import Specimen, Especially into the Confederacy

100% Complete, Intact Wire & Wrap!!!

THE TRUE "Sword of the Confederacy"!
 

Indeed, this IS THE "sword of the Confederacy," as they were the most WIDELY used sword of all mounted forces, and even field officers, given the fact that so many were in existence in the South in Southern Arsenals before the War, and so many imported during the War.  This superb specimen is a classic imported C. R. Kirschbaum Germanic-made copy of our Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Sword, known affectionately at the time by those who carried them as "Wristbreakers"--for they truly were HEAVY blades for the average smaller size (than today) of the men who wielded them back in the mid-19th Century!  They were far more preferred as a true cavalryman's blade because of their massive and thick construction--which meant LETHALITY!  Of all the swords a General of such overwhelming strength, size, and fighting skill--who could have chosen ANY sword he wished to wield--General Nathan Bedford Forrest chose the classic M1840 "Wristbreaker" because of it's lethality.  And if you know your Forrest history, you know he personally killed scores of Yankee's with his sword...UP CLOSE and PERSONAL!  This original specimen offered here is 100% intact and complete, having the wire and wrap ENTIRELY tight and present--no cracking, crazing, loose wire....no "issues" or detracting facets whatsoever.  Tight blade with the most beautiful untouched dark, unpitted and uncleaned grey steel patina--just the way you LOVE IT!  The C. R. Kirschbaum Knight's Head maker's mark on the ricasso is as CRISP and VIVIDLY CLEAR as the day it was stamped into the blade!  Only your expected coupld of blade dings from actual combat/service wear....just enough to prove "it was THERE"!

Quality like this ain't gonna get any cheaper....

$498  Sale Pending

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MASSIVE 13.25" Sheffield Bowie Knife

Soldier's Name "Walker" Carved Into Silver "T" Guard

From Texas Attorney's Collection--Acquired Decades Ago

Crystal-Clear Maker's Marking & "FOR SELF DEFENSE"

THE ICONIC, Most Common Civil War Fighting Knife/Bowie Blade

Indeed, scroll through ANY of the "Confederate Faces" multi-volume series of documented Confederate photo's--as well as Federal images you see--and you'll find near half of them with a fighting knife of some sort.  The most widely available and sold blade were those made by the internationally famous Sheffield cutlery company, who made them typically in much smaller sizes that the MONSTER you see here!  This one in particular is an Alexander of Sheffield produced-specimen, and from a line of "FOR SELF DEFENSE", LARGE Bowie clip-point fighting knives.  The "ALEXANDER/SHEFFIELD" maker's marking upon it's ricasso is vividly clear, as is the "FOR SELF DEFENSE" on blade itself.  It is the classic clip-point edge, German silver "T" handle, stag 2-piece grips, and silver, long inlay where someone could carved or have their name engraved upon it.  The blade length is 8 and 3/8th's long and exactly 1.5" wide.  NO modern sharpening whatsoever, and the metal has a gorgeous, untouched, steely-grey patina with NO PITTING.  The original stag grips are still very beautiful, with no cracking, and only very minor chipping at the bottom.  This was in Texas by my very old attorney friend decades ago, acquired directly from a family whose Texas ancestor fought for the South in a Texas unit, but they had no specific ancestral name or information, other than he "fought in the war...and carried this knife...".  All we have is his name carved clearly in cursive of "Walker" in the German silver "T" guard.  Who precisely he was, and what unit he served, and the horrors he seen we shall never truly know.

But we at least have his beautiful, MASSIVE, and truly a Texan-carried Civil War Bowie Knife, made by the most internationally famous, and most prolific maker of Civil War blades.  You don't have to pay several mortgage payments for a CS-made Bowie (hoping it is real, and not a fake!)  You can have this "FOR SELF DEFENSE" Sheffield classic Bowie that really saw action, and can save your hard-earned money!

$798  Sale Pending

Here's some Johnnies and THEIR Sheffield's!!!!

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Killer Rare 1851-Dated Ames M1840 Sword

Complete W/Original Ames ("ADK" Inspector Stamped) Scabbard

ALL-Original, Complete, Excellent Wire & Wrap, VIVIDLY CLEAR Markings

"AMES MFG CO  CABOTVILLE  1851" and "US ADK"

How many times do you get to get your hands on an Ames Cabotville maker-marked and dated M1840 "Wristbreaker" sword, being entirely complete, tight, and original, with original Ames scabbard????  This gorgeous 1851-dated specimen bears vividly clear markings on the ricasso, as well as the Ames inspector markings (including pommel cap, and on the drag of the scabbard).  Fantastic original wire and wrap--all nice and tight, just like the blade.  Untouched, and truly a rare-to-see Model 1840 sword, this is a must-have for a serious sword collector.

$1150  Layaway

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GORGEOUS, ULTRA-RARE Confederate

 Memphis Novelty Works CS Cavalry Sword

100% Compete, Intact, All-Original (No Reproduction Wire Nor Wrap!)

TIGHT Blade, Almost 100% Intact Original Leather Wrap--Tight 2-Twine Wire

One of the RAREST Confederate Swords Produced...EVER

Only Produced Between September of 1861 through April 1862 in Memphis (Memphis Falling Soon Afterward)

The Memphis Novelty Works Becoming Thereafter Known By Their Owners "Leech & Rigdon"

You are indeed staring at one of the rarest maker-known swords of the entire Confederacy--which should be obvious since the Memphis Novelty Works was only in operation producing war material from September 1861 through early 1862 (after the fall of Forts Henry, Donelson, and Island Number 10, Memphis fell so quickly after a sharp, but quick and decisive river engagement that the South could muster against the overwhelming might of Farragut's Yankee armada.)  Thus, having at most 8 months to produce material, these swords are indeed FEW AND FAR BETWEEN to be found!  This is believed to be a very early example, given that it is not maker-marked, has neither an "un-stopped" nor "stopped" fuller, has the luxury of 2-twine "standard" brass wire (which would later be reduced by the growing lack of brass to using simple copper wiring), high furniture-quality brass guard/tines, and thus is believed this was an early production piece that was being produced in the UTMOST HASTE to equip the many unarmed cavalrymen in the Western Theater so early in the war.  There are so many gorgeously beautiful facets to this fine, extremely rare specimen: the original wrap (with distinct dark brown/russet leather for the wrap) is essentially INTACT and COMPLETE.  Virtually no wear, cracking, crazing, or damage to the phenomenal wrap worth any note.  And the brass 2-twine wire is so very NICE AND TIGHT with the grip--no loose ends or looseness at all.  By looking at the ping upon the characteristic Memphis Novelty Works VERY ROUNDED pommel cap, you can easily tell this has NEVER been taken apart to be "monkeyed with" with any reproduction parts.  All original parts, my friends.  The blade, as mentioned before, is neither "stopped" nor "un-stopped", but simply runs past the guard/basket into the handle spine of the blade.  It has your expected UNTOUCHED and UNCLEANED softened steely grey and mottled patina that you LOVE to see on Confederate REAL STEEL!  Full length blade, of course, measuring 34" long.  It is the South's variant/version of a "heavy cavalry" or "wristbreaker" sword for their gallant horsemen.  But there's something even more "killer" and cool about this piece--there's NO DOUBT that this one got issued at used 100% FOR SURE!  Having the standard 3-tine brass guard/basket, the outer basket DEFINITELY was bent inward....which could ONLY happen due to an extremely violent and powerful force pushing it inward.  It is not damaged AT ALL.  And no damage repairs ANYWHERE.  But like many other noted specimens exhibiting this occurrence, the rider clearly was gripping the sword when thrown violently from his horse and hitting the ground (or horse falling upon the guard/basket).  Being an ex-Quality Assurance Engineer working for an international steel company (Armco-Kawasaki Steel Foundry), I KNOW MY METALLURGY!  You have no idea how many Newtons of Force (sorry--hate to pull out my Physics and Engineering books on you, but the "truth and facts" are as such!) it would take to cause this to occur.  There are the also the usual "battle nicks"--very few, but only enough to prove this baby didn't sit far behind the lines guarding a bridge or warehouse!  Only through a sudden and violent exertion of force could cause this.  Boy...the stories this most gorgeous and rare beauty could tell!

As it is, I wish you "good luck" finding a Memphis Novelty Works Cavalrymen's 100% complete, intact, original sword anywhere near this price.  Heck--I'm pricing it like most people price generic "Dog River" swords!!!  Feel free to pay $10,000+ for another one!  It's your money to waste!   I'll be MORE than happy to keep it!

$3900  SOLD

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Superb CS-Made Fighting Knife & Original Tin Scabbard

Spectacular CS Local-Made Tin Scabbard w/Excellent 13.75" Clip-Point Knife

As Southern as "cornpone and molasses"!  This beautiful local-made CS clip-point fighting knife with it's original tin-scabbard are stunningly beautiful, and classically Confederate.  The tin scabbard with soldering--and that excellent tin belt loop--are perfectly intact and tight.  The over 13" clip-point fighting knife fits it snug.  The clip-point blade itself measures precisely 9" long, and in beautiful, untouched condition, having no pitting, nicks, or detractions whatsoever.  Archetypical CS crude forging facets abound, given the poorly hammered/finished blade  near the top of the spine (excellent CS crude voids where it wasn't hammered thoroughly and fully in the forging process, leaving "crazing" in the metal.)  The simple wooden handle is beautifully intact, having no chips, damage, or detractions whatsoever.  The blade and handle are SOLIDLY tight and intact.  Blessed and sold by the renowned dealer and collector of CS blades last year--Mr. David LaSlavic of "Arizona Swords"--his original letter of sale/authenticity accompanies this piece.

Will look awfully impressive in your CS or knife collection.  Only a handful of tin-scabbard specimens are known to exist.  Rarely do you EVER get a shot at owning one...

GREAT  UPDATE:  Just spoke with Mr. Lee Hadaway, noted and respected author and "guru" of CS blades, and it was he who first acquired this piece from a North Carolina family less than 2 years ago.  He has seen four of these particular blades--identical in nature.  One had a leather scabbard, two without any scabbards, and this one with the 100% authentic tin scabbard.  It appears this may be a North Carolina product, and obviously with several in existence, coming from a small, but very blade-making knowledgeable shop.  The blade and handle are MADE FROM ONE SINGLE PIECE--yes, the single bar was fashioned into both the spine for the handle and the blade as well.  This, as Lee noted, is a sign that they "knew what they were doing," though you still have your classic CS forging traits (probably due to making in great haste for productivity).  Page 53 of his "Updated Confederate Bowie Knife Guide" shows one of these specimens, clearly coming from the same maker and shop.  Lee would have published this particular specimen in the book, except he had already sent it to press!  Otherwise, this piece would be in the reference book today!

SOLD

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Phenomenal Condition CS Bowie From Port Hudson

Excavated from the Large Cache Found Recovered at the Priest's Cap

You can be sure of one thing--those Arkansas boys defending the Priest's Cap within the CS fortifications at Port Hudson for 56 days were PISSED when they had to finally capitulate--after fighting hand-to-hand combat warding-off multiple Yankee assaults, and enduring months of constant bombardment.  And so as not to leave anything for the "damn Yankees" upon their surrender, a pile of valuables and weapons were secretly buried within the Priest's Cap, to keep the Yankee's filthy hands from getting them.  Fortunately, ardent relic hunters read of the accounts by the soldiers who buried and hid them, and would eventually unearth and forever save and preserve these precious, irreplaceable artifacts.  Offered here is a fantastic classic Arkansas "toothpick"--hidden away for over 100 years by the Arkansas defender who threw it in the hole to be undiscovered by his vanquishing foe.  Swords, pistols, watches, coins, and weapons/paraphernalia of all sorts were recovered from the cache.  The Colt Dragoon also came from this identical cache.  Overall length is 15" long, with 10.8" blade, and 1.5" blade width.  Is spectacular Port Hudson dug condition (if you know your Port Hudson relics, you know the ground is VERY unforgiving to the iron from that place!  This would be considered "minty" Port Hudson iron condition!!!!)

Now it can be yours....

SOLD

Stunning James Conning of Mobile, Alabama Confederate "CS" Staff Officer's Sword

All-Original, Complete, Untouched, Original Wire & Wrap, Originally Sold By Shannon Pritchard in 2004

Included With Sword are Original Sword Knot & Officer's Sash

Being one of the rarest and highest quality Confederate-made swords in the entire Civil War, the James Conning, "CS" (cast in the guard) Staff Officer's Sword is among the hardest specimens to find--especially in the condition that this one is in.  One quickly realizes that the Conning-made sword is essentially a copy of the US Staff Officer's Sword, and for good reason: James Conning was a pre-war sword maker who did extensive production for the US military, as well as State and local militia forces.  James was actually a native New York-born silversmith, being listed  as a silversmith in New York as early as 1840.  He would marry into a wealthy Mobile family some 15 years before the War, and thus had a thriving business before 1861 in the Deep South.  When war broke-out, Conning eagerly utilized his skills as a master sword craftsman to equip his new Southern nation.  Conning was noted for importing some of the finest sword blades from France before the war, and doing the assembling/hilting work himself in Mobile.  He quickly copied the Staff Officer's Sword floral and "US" casting hilt design, and simply put a "CS" into the guard instead.  When the blockade prevented him from further importing French merchandise, he contracted the local Parker Foundry in Mobile for blades and other supplies he used to get from France.  He produced other models of swords, such as the regulation artillery saber with 28" curved blade, that was within the Battle Abbey collection in Richmond.  His quality brass hilts for his highly-prized CS Staff Officer Swords were produced throughout the war, only ceasing when Mobile finally fell into Federal hands.  At least one example of this CS Staff Officer exists with a floral and old English script "CS" etching within the blade (also in the Battle Abbey old collection). 

This specimen here was originally sold to my friend and compatriot in Florida back in 2004 from Shannon Pritchard.  Listed below is a copy of the original listing, and Shannon's letter of authenticity shall accompany the piece.  According to several sword aficionados, this is one of the finest all-original, untouched specimens on the "open market" (not in a museum).  The full-length blade has a fabulous smoky/grey patina, having some bright finish remaining, with no nicks or damage of any note to the blade's edge.  No modern cleaning or sharpening whatsoever.  Archetypical unstopped CS-style fuller, of course, and the blade finish becoming less refined and finished toward the rather rounded, more abrupt blade point (than most sword blade designs).  The original leather wrap is intact and still tight, with virtually no wear at all.  Barely any crazing or drying to be found at all (only near the pommel cap end), and only one or two hairline splits in the wrap.  The original 2-twine twisted wire is solidly attached, with only the most minimal, ever-so-slight looseness--but only again substantiates that it is indeed original (re-wrap jobs are tight as a drum and rub too tightly, or are far too spongy against fresh, faked leather!)  The brass hilt is absolutely spectacular, and basically blemish-free in every sense.  It's THAT GOOD!  The magic "CS" letters show perfectly, and the brass appearance is fabulous.  The classic cruder CS sand-casting traits abound, where you can even see the inclusions of sand particulates within the basket design.  But being one of the finer craftsman of Southern blades, it shows the least amount of crude, unskilled casting flaws and traits, unlike his many counterparts.  The floral design continued upon the pommel is the typical faded casted appearance (again, the poorer CS casting trait).  There is also a beautiful "starburst" motif engraved into the top of the pommel cap, which has not been noted as found on any other Conning or other sword, and it is believed by all to be original to the piece.  So whether Conning did this himself, or the officer had it done after he received it, will never be truly known.  But it is clearly a period engraving.  The blade is solidly tight--no play whatsoever.  Both the basket and the blade have the matching "160" production number, as matching production numbers should be seen on these specimens.

Just a a "bonus" to sweeten the deal, my friend will include the original presentation-grade officer's sword know and officer's maroon dress sash, which only adds the perfect "spice" and "flair" to the entire display!

An excellent addition to any hardcore Confederate or sword collector.

SOLD

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Exceptionally Rare & Gorgeous CS College Hill Arsenal Cavalry Officer's Sword

Without question, being one of the rarest and most desirable Confederate-made swords, any College Hill Arsenal/Nashville Plow Works sword carries a special place in every Confederate collector's heart.  I rarely get so enthralled with any item--especially Confederate swords.  Not that I don't like them, because I'm as true-blue Johnny Reb as the next Southern collector!  But few items really take sway over me.  This one (as my friends with me at the show can attest to) REALLY put me "under the spell".  Any piece that can cause that effect upon me--such that I "fall in-love with it"--obviously has a lot going for it!  This is the Cavalry Officer's version of the "College Hill Arsenal" sword.  I put that name in parenthesis, as there is a modern divergence of opinion and belief by some "experts" in the field of Confederate swords, as to whether this is truly a College Hill Arsenal made piece, or actually a Nashville Plow Works piece made FOR College Hill Arsenal to retail for sale.  This specimen, for example, has the iron back-strap and the Nashville Plow Works style basket--but not having the Nashville Plow Works name--so it is clearly a product that was at the very least, made FOR the College Hill Arsenal.  Whether it was originally made by L. T. Cunningham (owner of College Hill Arsenal), or through Sharp & Hamilton (Nashville Plow Works), is what is debated today.  We know historically that Nashville Plow Works ran into some legal/operating "issues," and would later have some production for College Hill Arsenal, so that these are universally accepted that these specific specimens were definitely at the very least retailed/sold through the College Hill Arsenal by L. T. Cunningham.  Cunningham of College Hill Arsenal would later use the Plow Works counter guard with his later products.  Therefore, as such collectors, authorities, and aficionados as Shannon Pritchard describe at length (in his masterful "Collecting the Confederacy" book), this sword may more accurately be described as a "Plow Works College Hill contract sword."  (Page 243).

What is so special about this specimen in particular is that it is among the rarest of any of the Nashville-area made swords, regardless of being "College Hill" or "Plow Works"!  You'll find at least 8 to 10 true "Nashville Plow Works" swords for every "College Hill" specimen--and as you know, ANY of these swords produced in the city of Nashville are so infinitely rare!  Sword production in Nashville area for the Confederacy only lasted not even a YEAR, as Nashville would fall to the Federals after the fall of Fort Donelson in February, 1862.  This specimen offered for sale here is also a very late production piece, given a couple of traits.  Being that the back strap is not brass (as earlier-made specimens, when brass was more plentiful) and that the blade is not affixed with the more commonly seen screw-on cap, but simply "peened," it's obviously among the later/last production specimens.  The brass guard with those beautiful, magical "CSA" letters raised upon the outer face of the guard are seen so beautifully clear.  The abundant and ever-present crude sand-casting flaws are everywhere--no wax-molded fake crap here, my friends.  You can see the rough wet sand casting flaws clear as day everywhere, including specs of some of the sand from the mold still stuck into that higher copper-content Confederate brass!  Just splendid.  This piece was personally inspected by Rafael Eledge at great length (hours, actually, back in our hotel room), and went through every significant collector's/dealer's hands at the show.  To a man, it is acknowledged for the beautiful, all-original College Hill Cavalry Officer's saber that it is.  No damage.  No repairs.  No "monkey-business".  As usual, the extraordinarily thin twisted copper wire is missing (being so thin and rather "chincy," you rarely see any wiring intact, since they came off so very easily), and no wrap remaining (again, so very common and expected).  You can see a few of the thin copper wires peeking from under the iron backstrap.  The polished grip is beautifully present, and really displays magnificently.  One could EASILY have a professional sword restorationists re-wrap and re-wire the piece--and even make a perfect reproduction scabbard, if you choose.  I simply did not want to "mess with" this piece--I love it the way it is, being a purist at heart.  All it really needs is a good cleaning to get the old coats of grime and linseed oil off of it, and she's as beautiful as you'll ever hope to find.  The blade is full-length, and TIGHT with the handle.  Only one tiny nick in the blade--that is IT!  It has the coolest looking crude light filing marks barely seen on a couple small areas, and clearly appear to be original finishing filing marks in just a couple of small areas.  It has NOT been sharpened, cleaned, or touched in any way.  The curved blade measures 33.5" long (along the top spine and curvature), being 100% full-length.

No more needs to be said of this piece.  Some Confederate cavalry officer carried this beauty from Nashville into the war.  If only it could talk and tell us the tales of war, fighting, killing, and suffering.  I guess that's why Rebel steel is so valuable!  Just go ahead and try to find another College Hill (or Plow Works, for that matter) any cheaper, and in such fine, beautiful condition as this.  And here at Champion Hill Relics, you don't get a few, small, dark-shaded, fuzzy pictures to really peruse and judge our pieces.  Enjoy the many pics!

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