Large Civil War Side Knife 

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This Civil War bowie knife, almost certainly Confederate, is extremely well- crafted, and most likely factory made in the South very early in the war. Recently acquired from a North Carolina estate along with a rare Civil War canteen, this big knife’s blade measures 13-1/4” and 17-1/2” overall, with a menacing 2-1/2” clip point, false edge extending over half the blade length and pronounced step-down ricasso. The handle is one-piece wood fastened by three brass pins. Guard is nickel-plated brass measuring 3-1/2” across with integral ferrule and end cap is also nickel-plated. Nickel-plating on guard is worn exactly at points where hand would come in contact when brandished, showing exact age and use. A very finely made knife all-around, this one certainly saw action and remains very sharp, even today. Price - $2450  Now $1875

      W.J. McElroy Confederate Short Artillery Sword w Wooden Scabbard 

A very nice example of an all original McElroy of Macon GA artillery sword with a painted wood scabbard and a tin / steel upper mount and drag with a lead finial tip. The cast brass hilt has a ribbed grip with nice patina. The cross guard has a recessed panel on each side with lathe turned circular quillon circles. The blade is without a fuller and measures ~19" long and is in very fine condition with a strong pointed tip. There are some casting flaws in the blade / edge as well as the hilt. Blade has not been sharpened. The scabbard is in strong solid condition with the frog attachment button on the mount. Overall length with sword and scabbard is 25"  Note: This sword is from the Bill Erquitt Collection of GA  Price $4200  SOLD

Type 97 WW II Japanese Kai-gunto Pattern Naval Officer Sword with Original Silk Storage Bag and Paper Label Found Inside Sword Handle Defining Shiga Kaigun Naval Base  (Comes w Research Literature)

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The sword was made in the province and town called Nagamura Kiyonobu. The actual sword was made by a worker named Minyo Motomatsu. This style sword, Type 97, was started in 1937 – Year 2597 from National Era System - hence Type 97. This type sword was produced till about 1944.

This sword scabbard is wood with polished ray skin. The handle is wrapped in brown silk tape over unpolished brown shark skin and the menuki. There are gold plated handle and scabbard fittings. A label was found in the handle giving the Naval Base.

The stainless steel blade is probably government arsenal made. The tsuba is blackened bronze. Overall length in scabbard 38 ¼”, blade 26 ¼”

Overall, a very fine condition, original WW II Naval Officer’s samurai sword.  Price $4400

Now $4000

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Two Engraved Presentation Swords to Lt. and Captain Henry W. Horbach (also spelled Harbach)                          with a Post War -  Co. I / 193rd Regimental / Soldier Framed Record listing Captain Henry W. Harbach

The engraved upper scabbard mount of the M-1860 Eagle hilt etched blade sword states: "Presented to / Lieut. H.W. Horbach / by his friends"

The engraved upper scabbard mount of the M-1850 Staff & Field Officer's etched blade sword states: "Presented to / Capt. H.W. Harbach / by his Co. / Pgh July 25th 1864"

There is framed company record of 93rd PA Regiment with the captain’s name spelled Henry W. Harbach. These differences are not significant -normal government and human paperwork errors / inconsistencies.

The CW Database shows his name as Henry W. Horbach who enlisted as 2nd Lt in Co. A - 7th PA Infantry and a second record when he enlisted as captain in July 19 1864 – 193rd PA Infantry – the near same date on the S & F presentation sword - July 25 1864.  See both summaries below:

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Henry W. Horbach - Residence Pittsburgh PA - Enlisted on 4/23/1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant.

On 4/23/1861 he was commissioned into "A" Co. PA 7th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 7/29/1861 at Harrisburg, PA

Henry H. Horbach - Residence was not listed - Enlisted on 7/19/1864 as a Captain - Commissioned into "I" Co. PA 193rd Infantry

He was discharged on 9/26/1864   

The S & F Officer Sword comes with a sword knot and is a classy ornate presentation sword. This high grade officer’s sword has an eagle-head quillon, brass eagle hilt an eagle pommel and beautiful ornate "Liberty" and drum-cannon upper and middle mounts with soldier and flag drag. The blade shows floral motifs with an etched US and Eagle with EPU motto The grip is wired German silver. The blade is also etched with "ALWAYS READY" and is mostly bright silver overall with no discoloration - a good edge and point. The spine is etched “Iron Proof” a standard phrase of a temper guarantee found on lots of swords imported into the US from foreign makers. The ricasso is marked "CLAUBERG SOLLIGEN". The steel scabbard body has all its original blue, wit some minor oxidation toward a light brown. The throat washer is present. 

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The M-1861 has a knight's head pommel, bone or ivory handle with brass chain, a brass scabbard has floral engraving with a very minor dent. The blade is well etched and flags / cap and an eagle with EPU - bright silver with no discoloration. No makers mark - throat washer present.   $10,500

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Model 1832 US Short Artillery Sword and Circa 1840 Pattern White Buff Leather Two Piece "US" Waist Belt w Sword Frog    Price $3200

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The short foot artillery sword was approved with the 1832 regulation and it resembles a Roman gladiator sword. It was intended as a last line of defense for the artilleryman, but more practical use was clearing weeds and brush to prepare an artillery placement. Manufactured by Ames Manufacturing Company - Chicopee Massachusetts. Marks: ricasso AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE, and US / JH (inspector) / 1856. Additional inspector marks on the handle and tip of black leather brass drag. Standard features include: brass handle with eagle cast on both sides of the pommel, cast fish scales on grip, blade has two fullers stopped with the ricasso on the upper blade, and single fuller on the tip, scabbard has full leather with brass mountings with patina. This sword has a very bright blade (dark shadow seen in blade photos is a reflection) with no cuts on blade edges and a fine point, solid handle with strong eagles on pommel. Scabbard has all rivets and fits into the strong buff leather waist belt / frog with US buckle. The waist belt has a nice aged look, patina on the buckle and is well stitched and solid.

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Per contract records, after the 1847 delivery of 1000 swords, there were no more deliveries till 1853 (500), 1855 and 1856 (1000 each year) - with two final small deliveries in 1860 and 1862. The date on the 1855 and 1856 blades show a stamped date consisting of 185 with the last digit made from a different font and size number punch. This characteristic suggests the Blades produced starting 1853 through 1856 were pre-marked using a three digit date punch (185), and the last date digit was not finally added until a firm order was received and made ready for delivery.  A great sword and belt rig - It goes well with an Artillery Shell Jacket offered on this website under MILITARIA

The example above shows small "6" digit subsequently added to the blade date as shown on the sword offered on this site. (See Left Photo)

Fine Model 1803 - Type II Harper’s Ferry Rifle Dated 1812

Price $4600  Now $4200       SOLD

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The US M-1803 Rifle was the first US designed Army rifle and was initially produced with a 33” octagon to round barrel, 54 caliber and rifled with 7 lands and grooves. The gun was half stocked, and the barrel was secured to the stock by a single barrel wedge and the tang screw. The barrel had a heavy iron under barrel rib, upon which were mounted two iron ramrod pines which held the iron trumpet head ramrod.

Between 1804 and 1807 4,000 of these flintlock rifles were produced at the Harper’s Ferry arsenal. These initial production guns were serial numbered on the left breech flat, above the depressed US and Eagle Head / P proof marks.  Production of the M-1803 rifle ceased 1807. All of these early rifles are considered as “Type I rifles” by collectors.

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Production of the US M-1803 was not ordered to resume until 1813, the result of the need for additional arms due to the War of 1812. Production did resume in 1814 and continued through 1820.

A number of minor changes were made to the rifle at that time. These later production rifles are known as US M-1803 Type II rifles. The majority of them feature a 36” octagon to round barrel, instead of the original 33” barrel. The later production rifles were not serial numbered. The other changes were mostly small cosmetic ones related to the increase in barrel length, including a change in proportions between the octagon and round barrel portions, a change in the length of the stock to accommodate the longer barrel and a slightly recontoured buttstock with a slightly longer patch box.

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Between 1814 and 1820, over 15,718 of the Type II rifles were produced, making a total of 19,718 including both types. The US M-1803 saw service during the War of 1812 and subsequently during the First Seminole War (1817-1818), the Second Seminole War (1835-1842) and even serving during the Mexican War.

After the US M-1803 was superseded by the Hall M-1819 rifle, and the M-1817 “Common Rifle”, many of the older M-1803’s were shipped to Western outposts in territories that would one day become the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico and the Dakota’s. Some US M-1803 Rifles also ended up in state arsenals, issued under the Militia Act of 1808. It was in those arsenals that many were eventually converted to percussion, in order to extend their service life.

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This rifle is in very fine condition and based on the barrel length was probably made in 1815 using a HF lock dated 1812 (see note below). A solder type repair was made to the the upper brass barrel band. The cocking action is solid.  The wood is strong, minimal blemishes with a primary and secondary inspection cartouche stamps. The barrel is crisply stamped with an oval "US" and "Eagle/P" proof marks. The barrel metal is mostly smooth with dark patina, screws are good, patch box springs open with a button release. Overall a very fine rifle.

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Note: From the American Long Rifles Club members, various blog commentary is available on-line stating "I have examined a couple of 1803 model rifles made for the war of 1812 - Both were not dated 1803, and were dimensionally different from the model 1803, primarily in barrel length. One was dated 1811 and the other was dated 1814." Other comments were made that 1792 Contract Rifles have been observed with 1812 HF lock plates. "The seven or eight known surviving 1792/1794 contract rifles all have 1812 dated HF style locks including one restocked model that turned up." 1812 lock plates were made and eventually used in renewed Model 1803 rifle production starting in 1814 and later.

New Jersey 1861 H & P - 69 Cal. Springfield Musket Conversion and H & P Made US Bayonet

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While many Model 1816 flintlock muskets saw conversion from flintlock to percussion in the Civil War period, almost no other musket saw the level of quality workmanship provided by Hewes & Philips of Newark NJ. This military musket was originally made by the Springfield Arsenal in 1830 with a well stamped lock plate / date. This one is a great example flintlock conversions. The State of NJ had about 20,000 at the start of the Civil war - all were converted between 1861 and 1862.

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The musket was originally smooth bore but was rifled during the conversion -the rifling is good. The action is very strong. A very large bolster was welded to the barrel and a percussion nipple threaded in. A unique curved percussion hammer was installed. The ramrod is correct and original to the gun.

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This musket is the scarcer Type 1 conversion with a bolster clean out screw. The Type 2 conversions had no screw. The top of the barrel shows the company markings “H&P” and the date of the conversion "1861". A large “NJ” for New Jersey is also visible where the barrel meets the stock on the left side.

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A multi-leaf sight was installed at the rear. A bayonet lug was installed on the top near the muzzle. A longer “US” marked bayonet was made to current standards.

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This musket also has well defined original cartouche marks on the wood and metal from its original manufacture in 1830. there are cartouche markings on the wood, barrel, trigger guard, upper barrel band and escutcheon plate. See photos

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Although this musket saw real service, the stock wood and overall metal are strong with normal light metal pitting and some nicks in the wood from combat usage but no real issues. The barrel has a gray mottled look.

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H & P used part numbers for the components they made for their conversion. Bayonet #6 – Bayonet Lug #16 – Bolster #10 or #18 – Hammer #1  with H & P  and 1861 on top of barrel. See photos

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 A very nice example of a converted New Jersey Militia musket and bayonet.    Price $2700                 

Original Boyle & Gamble Confederate Staff Officer Sword w Scabbard​ Made in Richmond VA

This sword is 100% original, has never been cleaned. The patina on the hilt, scabbard mounts and drag all match. Comes with a period sword knot and its original throat washer. The brass fixtures' color show a high copper content.

There are no nicks, scratches or bruises on the hilt, mounts or drag. The leather scabbard is solid and strong but has some minor age surface cracks and one stress area from use , but the scabbard remains solid. The scabbard's glossy leather finish is present and still intact. The leather grip and wire on handle are original and 100% intact.

The blade was never been sharpened - it has seven tick marks along the edge from real usage.

The blade is generally bright with a readable acid etched CSA in a shield and the Battle Flag on one side and two sets of Confederate flags on the other side, the lower set of flags is strong - the upper set of flags is on the lighter side. Both blade sides have etched scroll and floral decorations. The blade has scattered light mottled age gray color along both sides. The blade point is strong.  Price $19,500   Now $18,000

Confederate Cook Rifle Sabre Bayonet

A very nice, well made bayonet produced in Athens GA for the famous Cook and Brother Rifles. The brass hilt is not serial numbered. When New Orleans fell, Cook & Brother managed to escape with their raw materials, parts on hand and unfinished parts.  That material was all transported to the Selma Arsenal where they assembled the last of the Alabama state contract.  The remainder of parts were then transferred again the Athens, Georgia and were incorporated into the early Athens rifle. The blade is 22.5 inches long with an overall length of 27 inches.  The blade is smooth with mottled gray color and very minimal pitting. It has not been cleaned or sharpened. The spring lug release button works well.       Price $3000 

Confederate L. Froelich / Keanansville NC Cavalry Sword

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A very nice example of a Type I Froelich Cavalry sword based on plain pommel cap - Model 1840 pattern - 39.5" overall length. No scabbard or Roman assembly number on guard. Strong grip covered with brown leather and single wire, scattered light mottling and patina along the smooth blade with a strong point. Very slight curve near end of blade made during manufacture. Leather washer present.  Blade and handle are solidly attached. Sword has not been cleaned. Sword was formerly in Bill Erquitt's collection. Price $3200

Scarce Yankee Bowie Knife - Possibly Made in Vermont by Silas Walker

This is an authentic, all-original civil war bowie knife made by a skilled cutler or tool maker. Measuring ~14" in overall length, the knife boasts a 9" single edge clip point blade with well-formed ricasso. The pommel and ferrule are nickel-plated brass, while the tight 2-3/4" guard looks to be nickel-silver. Nickel hardly tarnishes, but when the nickel plating begins to wears off, as it has on the pommel, it exposes the brass and the browning is actually the aged brass with hints of the nickel plating still visible.

Rosewood handle shows beautiful aging with very little abuse. The blade had been period sharpened but is still in remarkable condition. There are probably nearly identical examples of this knife in other collections that still survive today. The lines and construction of this knife are very similar to some New England civil war knife makers, such as knives made by Silas Walker of Vermont (see comparative photo from N. Flaydermann book "the Bowie Knives"  Price $1200  Now $995

Confederate Arkansas Toothpick Style Large Fighting Knife

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Probable arsenal made fighting side knife, overall length 19 1/8", blade 12 1/8". Blade has a medial ridge on both sides for added strength, good point and a rectangular shaped brass guard. The large wood handle is chestnut and is peened over the blade tang to form a pommel cap. There is no sign of resharpening on the blade which shows age patina. A very nice Confederate fighting knife.  Price $1100  Now $900

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High Grade M-1850 Beautiful Etched Blade Presentation Foot Officer Sword

The Upper Mount of the Scabbard is Engraved in Five Lines 

"Presented to Lieut T.G. Thorn by the Riverton Guard Aug. 27th 1861"

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No maker mark -red cloth throat washer mostly missing. Bright clean gray blade measures 30.5” in length, 1” in width at the ricasso. The blade remains ding-free in near mint condition with no cuts, nicks, spotting or dark surface oxidation except one tiny dark spot on the reverse side. A regulation “Eagle w Shield” etching appears on obverse side above a drum and two flanking flags below the eagle with another shield and floral sprays above the eagle, total etching measuring ~17”. Blade point is excellent. There is a tight plain/twisted double wired wrap shark skin handle with minor wear on top of handle.

Reverse blade features attractive panel of floral spray above and below an a large etched US. The hilt brass-work exhibits clean, medium-bright patina. The pommel shows the initials of the officer "TGT"  that match to name on the mount. The flowers and leaves on the pommel and hilt are beautifully formed and show no wear. The brass mounts, their carrying rings and drag on the scabbard have no major issues and show matching patina. The dark brown leather of the scabbard shows some typical age surface cracks but is in solid condition and retains a glossy finish.

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T.G. Thorn is not shown in the American CW Data Base which implies this sword was given to him while in a state militia called the Riverton Guard. At this time the only similarly named militia is the Riverton Invincibles of Co. I of the 10th VA. Perhaps Lt. Thorn did not advance to a regiment for some reason upon receiving his presentation sword early in the war on August 27 1861. Further research is required to better define this Officer and his Sword.   Price $3200

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Image of blade point is dark due to photogapher's shadow - blade is bright

Model 1816 Military Pistol By Simeon North

Wurfflein Conversion from Flintlock to Percusssion

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The pistol was originally made by Simeon North of Middletown Conn. The barrel is 54 cal. and 9 inches long. The inspectors mark of P and US are stamped on the breech end of the barrel top and a set of LR initials are stamped in the wooden stock in two places - near the escutcheon plate and the front barrel band. Per Flayderman guide, this pistol was produced for three years, 1817 - 1820 with ~19,000 totally made. The conversion to a percussion pistol probably took place in Philadelphia at the start of the Civil War by John Wurfflein who converted about 2500 guns for the Federal Government. The hammer appears to be a Austrian style. Some wear on lock plate, strong hammer action, very good overall condition, all original showing usage consistent to the the period and age. Price $950

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