Back
Arms, Armor & Militaria
|
- Sale 1293
Live
| Cincinnati
Oct 24 | 10:00 AM EDT
Live
| Cincinnati
Sale 1293
| Cincinnati
| Cincinnati
Estimate$6,000 – $8,000
32.325" slightly curved and tapered single-edged spear point blade, .91" wide at the ricasso, with a 24" unstopped median fuller. Overall length 38". 5.5" hilt with a cast brass guard with the letters CSA in the face. Grooved wooden grip covered in leather with twelve wraps of twisted brass wire. Grip with a .85" brass ferrule behind the guard and a 1.4" long pommel cap with a rounded rim and a flat top. Blade secured by a peen of the full-length tang at the pommel cap. Guard shows expected casting flaws and some cracking at the thin areas that are under stress where the letters and the guard meet. Blade with some expected minor flaws as well. Sword is unmarked with the exception of the small Roman numeral V which is cut into the right side of the guard above the grip. No scabbard is present.
These instantly recognizable Confederate Staff & Field Officer swords were produced by Bavarian immigrant Louis Froelich at his "Confederate States Arms Factory" in Kenansville, Dublin County, NC. Despite the factory burning twice during the war, it remained in almost constant service from the spring of 1861 through March of 1865. By some accounts Froelich's manufactory turned out some 12,000 swords during the course of the war, including enlisted and officers swords cavalry sabers, at least three types of staff & field officer swords, short swords, saber bayonets and fighting knives. They also produced cast uniform items like buckles, belt plates and buttons.
Very good. Blade with a dull pewter patina showing scattered surface oxidation and discoloration and some minor nicks and mars along the edge of the blade. Blade with some scattered areas of minor surface roughness as well. Brass hilt cleaned and polished, and starting to tone down to a mellow golden color. Guard showing some casting flaws and cracks. Grip rewrapped with wire replaced. Throat washer may be replaced as well. Blade to grip juncture is tight with some minor impact marks around the peen and pommel cap. Guard secure but exhibits some minor wobble.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
Ms. Emma Fulmer
ATF Manager, Senior Coordinator, Arms, Armor & Militaria
