Confederate States Armory Kenansville Cavalry Saber Type II or “2nd Model” Cavalry Saber From the Collection of Don Troiani

Confederate States Armory Kenansville Cavalry Saber Type II or “2nd Model” Cavalry Saber From the Collection of Don Troiani - Inventory Number: CON 462

This saber is a fine example of Louis Froelich’s edged weapon production at the Confederate States Armory in Kenansville, North Carolina; Louis Froelich emigrated from Bavaria in early 1861 and settled in Wilmington, NC, where he produced a large assortment of sabers, sword bayonets, bayonets, pikes, knives, axes, accouterments and other vital military supplies, using the business names of the Confederate States Arms Factory and Confederate States Armory. He kept production going throughout the war, though having to move his operation from Wilmington to Kenansville (another label for his products,) and suffering from fires, federal cavalry raids, and numerous other difficulties.

One of the top two southern makers of cavalry sabers, he is thought to have supplied some 12,000 to Confederate cavalry. A number of variants are known. This example is documented as Type II or Second Model. The saber retains its original, sheet iron scabbard, with both brass sword belt mounts, throat, and its original, crudely crafted drag, as well as obvious copper joining, soldered lap seam along the length of the scabbard. The brass guard exhibits an appealing, un-cleaned patina, as does the pommel cap. The wood grip is grooved with ten furrows, brushed with black paint rather than leather, wrapped with a single strand of wire which also bears black paint. The blade exhibits a pewter gray patina and is in overall very good condition. The brass guard is tight to the blade, with no movement and the construction remains quite solid. The scabbard retains an old museum inventory paper tag with the number 19 from before the turn of the 19th century and the painted inventory number “0195” in the hand of Don Troiani, its previous owner. This is a superior example of a Confederate, Kenansville saber!

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Inventory Number: CON 462