3087

EXTREMELY RARE AND ICONIC CONFEDERATE STAFF

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE AND ICONIC CONFEDERATE STAFF
OFFICER’S SWORD. Among the great rarities an aesthetically appealing Confederate officer swords are these ornate and gaudy decorated staff swords with “CS” and Louisiana state seal cast in massive hilt and eleven stars cast in pommel cap. There are only 2 of the staff and field officer pattern known, both are hand finished and have slightly different details in the guards. Both have unique blued etched blades, only seen on these two examples and nowhere else. This sword retains its original scabbard and has “A. Banta” scratched on the top mount, “HH” on opposite side and also in leather scabbard body. 29.5" Blade with unstopped fuller, scroll and geometric blued design over about 20" of blade with crosshatch dry point etch complementing the blue shapes or vice versa. Blade decoration is unique to any other Confederate manufacturer. This maker is most likely New Orleans based strictly that all New Orleans known makers cast their pommels in 2 pieces with a central casting line as seen on this sword. The hilt motif of the Louisiana state seal with “C” and “S” on either side was also a design used by Dufihlo of New Orleans. Dufihlo blades however are more refined not showing areas of lamination on this example and more typical of other deep South manufactured swords. Regardless, if you want the best example of this iconic pattern, this is it. CONDITION: very good-fine overall. All original and complete with exception of rewrapped leather grip, and long missing soldered collar to throat. When sword originally surfaced in 1980s leather grip was only partially intact. Blade retains much of its original finish, overall gray/bright, several small areas of lamination and vertical crack about 10" from tip. The hilt retains much of its original gold wash with balance mottled dark mustard patina. The pommel cap shows tool marks and recolored area where re-peened when the sword was rewrapped. Scabbard is very good overall, heavy brown leather has much of its finish retained with tear and wear area about 3" from drag. Scabbard mounts all loose but sound with mixed mustard/olive patina. PROVENANCE: Stone Mountain Relics; Ex-Donald Tharpe collection; ex-Kevin Hoffman collection.(02-14939/JS). $40,000-60,000.