3059

RARE TILTON GEORGIA MADE CONFEDERATE OFFICER’S

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
RARE TILTON GEORGIA MADE CONFEDERATE OFFICER’S

SWORD AND SOLDIER’S LETTER ORDERING TILTON SWORD. 30 1/2" Beefy blade w/ unique squared ricasso & upper solid ridge rarely seen by any other Confederate sword mfg. Other distinctive features: heavy solid guard, blackened grip, screw retained knuckle bow to pommel. There is only one complete marked Tilton sword which is owned by the Virginia Museum of Culture & History. That sword has all the identical features to this one except it has no scabbard. The marked specimen is dated 1861 & maker mark on ricasso: “M.C. & Co / Tilton GA”. Little is known about Martin, Caroll & Company, but Martin was a well known gunsmith & mechanic who delivered pole arms to the state of Georgia & as noted in the letter, he made a strong sword for battle. This is a wonderful unique Confederate pattern. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: sm. file of research notes & photographs of other Tilton survivors. CONDITION: very good overall, blade is overall gray w/ staining, last few inches are pitted. Hilt & pommel have a smooth unmolested olive/medium mustard patina. Leather grip is complete w/ scuffing retaining much of its black dye, thin single strand brass wire is complete though one strand loose under pommel cap. The accompanying scabbard is not Confederate manufacture but was found w/ the sword. Scabbard has since been restored as it was missing a portion of leather & drag, now present. The pitted area on the last few inches of blade came from where the blade extended unprotected. The accompanying letter is not related to this particular sword, but Lieut. Robert C. Irwin, 7th Georgia infantry asks for his father “to be sure & send me a large sword for this one was too small to go into battle w/ & I sent it home… Go to Herring & Son in Atlanta and ask for one like adjutant Hubbard’s made in Tilton Georgia….”. This letter was written from Manassas Junction, September 21, 1861. Letter is fair w/ portions missing as can be seen in photos. (02-15404/JS). $6,000-8,000.