You never know what you will find when you walk into a pawn shop. And that is exactly what happened here when a good friend of mine was checking out a pawn shop in Nashville Tenn. These were hanging on the wall for sale. What a great find. This type of sword was
carried a lot by early militia units and NCO’s. These both have bone carved handles and the Union Shield embossed in the brass guards. Pretty rare!
Although this sword has been put together with mismatched parts, it is very unique in its own way. The grip is definitely calvary, but the blade appears to be infantry, and has been sharpened several times. Possibly Confederate, because Union soldiers were not allowed to sharpen their swords. There are no markings at all on the blade, but the style is that of a French design. There were many many swords imported during the war, from England, France, and now Germany etc. All have their own style. I am so thankful to have been able to get this off of my cousin, Robert, to put into my collection. I also got the 1863 Remington bayonet that I have posted from him. This old sword has had a lot of use, and in pretty rough shape, but that tells me that it has an incredible story to tell. Thanks Robert.
by Mark P with comments disabledHere are a couple close up pictures of the S&K and the CS stamps on the Confederate Calvary Sword.
Here is another beautiful piece of history that came from the Franklin Tenn. Civil War Show. This is a Model 1840 Heavy Calvary sword made by S&K (Schnitzler & Kirschbaum), for the Confederacy. One side of the blade is stamped S&K, and on the other side it has CS stamped in it. This is what is called a blockade sword. During the war, the Union Navy set up river and port blockades, to block any Confederate ships from bringing in supplies for the Confederate army. Most ships were sunk or stopped, but there were some that made it through the blockades. This sword was on one of those blockade runner ships. The CS stamped on the blade, was done by a Confederate inspector who would inspect goods coming off of these ships. To make this story even better, this sword was what is called a battle trophy. It was confiscated after losing a battle. The gentleman who owned this, said that his GGGrandfather, who fought for a Michigan Unit, brought this, and several more trophies home after the war, and all has been in the family since. A super rare find, and a great addition to my collection.
by Mark P with comments disabledIt’s always great to be able to get a relic out of someone’s else’s collection, that has been collecting for years. You never know what they have been able to find through the years. Such is what happened in this case. I got this Model 1850 Infantry Officers Sword out of a collection in Lexington Ky. The blade is half acid etched with the US insignia, cross flags and floral design. It was manufactured by W.H. Horstmann and Sons in Philadelphia. The scabbard is leather with brass hardware. What a beautiful sword.
by Mark P with comments disabledThis hand forged Confederate sword came out of collection in central Georgia. It is made of a buggy spring, which at the time was the best steel for making a blade. The “S” guard is all hand forged also. Connecting the blade to the handle, which is a piece of hand carved hickory, is an 1840’s large cent piece. The bottom of the blade would have been hammered into a point to go through the handle, and into the penny, which had a hole drilled into it. Then the point would have been hammered over to keep from pulling out of the penny, and the handle. The “United” of United States Of America, has been ground off the penny. Just showing States Of America. How proud this soldier had to be to carry such a beautiful hand forged sword. Another piece that I wish could talk. The stories it could tell.
by Mark P with no comments yet