Rare Sword Documented as Used by the 46th Virginia / SOLD
Rare Sword Documented as Used by the 46th Virginia – Inventory Number: SWO 291 / SOLD
Richmond Light Infantry Blues Sword
46th Regiment, Virginia Infantry Company “A”
This sword style is said to have been used by the Richmond Light Infantry Blues in the years before the Civil War from research conducted by Richard Johnsen
Sword Elements:
• Blade double-edged, arris (median ridge), spear point
• Blade length is 29 inches, likely British made
• Blade width is 1 inch
• Shape has no fuller with arris (two edges and two median ridges in shape, i.e., diamond)
• Embellishment is elaborately etched overall, foliate designs, American eagle with banner, Indian princess
• Hilt is German silver, Arabian style with backstrap (a/k/a pistol grip), silver chain on guard (lacking on this example)
• Guard is German silver, acorn finials, shell langet
• Scabbard is German silver "in the white," double-ring suspension bands, simple strip drag two inches long.
This is an unusual and unique sword, as the hilt style is very Arabian in form (also known as a pistol pommel). which would have been a popular theme as a result of the U.S. and Barbary Pirates conflict. That conflict was instrumental in the U.S.M.C. adopting the Mameluke hilt. This sword has a finish in the white having a German silver hilt and scabbard.
Accompanied by Civil War Army Swords by John H. Thillmann
In 1861 they were detached from the first Virginia regiment and served throughout the Civil War as company.
The book on the blues accompanies the sword depicting a soldier on page 127 carrying the identical sword.
The sword is also accompanied by a letter from the previous owner stating “in 35 years, I’ve seen four of these swords. One was made by Ames and had the Ames American flag eagle on the sword with a U. S. This is seen in Thillmann’s booked. Next one was by Spies and carried an American Eagle and you. S. Next one had a U. S. On the sword blade but no manufacturer. The sword was ordered by the south circa 1850–1859. Could have come from England. It does not carry a U.S., a flag, or e pluribus unum. It was ordered by the south prior to the war. Someone added three stars to the backstrap.
Inventory Number: SWO 291 / SOLD