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Confederate Kenansville Cavalry Saber - Model III - Rounded Top Blade Spine

Price $5800  Now $5400

This saber is a fine example of an edged weapon manufactured at the famed Kenansville NC sword manufactory and was one of the most well made weapons from Louis Freolich and his business, Confederate States Arms Factory.

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The blade exhibits a nice gray aged appearance and does not show any nicks or sharpening along the cutting edge. There is a single unstopped fuller with the original leather washer fastened in place.

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The scabbard is constructed of lap-seamed sheet iron with brass sword mounts and iron rings and brass throat, the drag is iron and shows evidence of real outdoor use. Overall the scabbard is solid.

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Some of the Freolich scabbards were painted black or red then lacquered. There is considerable evidence of a reddish hue on both sides of this scabbard as well on the bottom of each brass attached mount. The scabbard has an aged consistent color. There are three shallow dents in the scabbard on near opposite side positions, probably incurred during war time use. But the sword can be withdrawn and returned with no problems.

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As with many of Freolich swords there is a set of mating Roman numeral assembly bench marks with the scabbard marked XXII on the throat and the saber brass quillon edge marked XXIII. Often this two numbers do not match because the throats were made and riveted in place separately and/or the scabbard was changed in the field by a soldier.​

The brass two branched hilt and its quillon shows evidence of typical casting flaws but remain in strong condition. The Phrygian Helmet style pommel cap is well attached with a peen. 

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The leather cover on the wooden grip is complete and in good condition with the original untwisted plain copper wire filling the ten grip furrows. Overall a very fine example of a Civil War Freolich cavalry saber.

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Remnants of red paint shown on the underside of each brass mounts of the scabbard. See both photos to the left.

Model 1840 Light Artillery Sword – Dated 1863 Price $1250

Now $985

 

In 1844 the US Ordnance Dept. ordered the first contract from Ames Manufacturing Company of Mass. for the M-1840 Light Horse Artillery Sword which were delivered in 1845. A number of deliveries were made during the late a1840’s through the 1850’s.

 

By 1860 a change was made to reinforce the scabbard throat with a collar. At this time Ames became the sole contractor to the US government for this style artillery sword.

 

During 1863 Ames delivered 5300 artillery swords between March 1863 and February 1864.

 

This sword is a fine example with a very bright and clean blade that has three small tick marks on the upper section from usage – it has never been re-sharpened and has strong handle with a full leather grip and twisted wire present as well as a full throat washer. The “AMES MFg / CHICOPEE / MASS.” mark was weakly stamped to one side of the blade ricasso with the first one - three letters of each line very weak. The other side of the blade ricasso shows a readable “US / A.D.K. / 1863”.

 

The scabbard is smooth with no dents with solid ring mounts, has a stamped “A.D.K.” inspection mark on one side of the drag and a stamped “26” rack or inventory number on one side of the throat and immediately below on the scabbard. This could be a rack number. The metal scabbard has no pitting or rust, holes or breaks and shows a mottled gray / brownish color from an aged varnish protective coating partially worn away over time. A nice example of a Civil War artillery sword.

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Note: The dark dotted marks shown on the top and bottom of the sword and scabbard are a camera enlargement problem and are not present on the items.

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M-1816 Harpers Ferry 69 Cal. Musket Conversion - Dated 1836

The Model 1816 musket was originally designed as a flintlock muzzleloader, .69cal. smoothbore, manufactured from 1816 through 1844. Most of these guns were converted to percussion in the 1850's. This one is the Belgian cone method generally performed at the arsenals. The flintlock pan was milled flat to the lock, the void filled with brass and the top milled flush with the lock, the flintlock hole was plugged, a nipple lug was placed on top of the barrel slightly to the side of the lock, and a new hammer was placed to achieve the correct alignment. The musket was manufactured by Harpers Ferry Armory in VA (now WV).

 

The lock is strongly marked HARPERS / FERRY / 1836 behind the hammer, with eagle head and US in front. Barrel is well marked V / P over Eagle head with a breech tang date of 1837. Butt plate is marked "US". Both iron barrel bands and trigger guard, the iron escutcheon plate and its large screws are marked with a number "1". This model features an iron butt plate with a stamped "US", iron trigger guard, no rear sight, two sling loops with a cylindrical swivel, and a large iron nose guard that serves as third band and forward sight, bayonet lug on top of barrel at muzzle, button head steel ramrod with worn thread. All screws are in strong condition.

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The wood has a soldier carved large "W" on one side of the butt end of the stock. Possibly another letter on the opposite side. The wood stock side opposite the lock plate is stamped "V" for visual inspection and the letters "J A S" for inspector John A. Schaffer who worked at the arsenal in the 1830's on Harper Ferry guns. The lock plate and barrel stamped markings are very strong.

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This example is a very nice because of its overall condition and many strong clear markings. All metal is smooth with age patina with slight corrosion near the implanted nipple from usage. The walnut stock is in very good condition. Bore is clean - no rifling. The musket is mechanically perfect with very strong action.    Price $1800

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Carved notches on stock above the trigger may be a soldier's kill tally.

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Stamped inspector marks above and barrel proof marks in photo on the left. 

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Very Fine Boyle Gamble & MacFee Richmond VA Heavy Short Artillery Sword  Price 3400 Now $2900   SOLD​

Overall 24”, 18.5”Unmarked Blade w 8” Center Fuller. No edge nicks and sharpening or cleaning to blade!

Heavy ringed solid handle w beautiful patina - Handle and blade are tight. Sword has original point. Blade has aged mottled surface.

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The handle and cross bar are solid brass. The cross bar of handle has finely scratched by hand soldier's initials  "W  G".  Sword weighs 2 Lbs 14 Oz

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A very nice example of a Confederate short artillery sword.  

Letters "W G"  lightly scratched onto the crossbar photo to the right - probably a soldier initials.

Pomeroy M-1816 Militia Marked Musket for State of New York Troops (SNY) Dated 1821 - Contract Conversion to Percussion w Bayonet  Price $1900

Now $1500

.69 caliber, 42 in. smoothbore barrel with eagle head / P/ V marks plus inspector's initials SJ (Seth James) at breech, S.N.Y. 1821 (date inverted) to left of percussion cap nipple, walnut stock with iron mounts, the lock plate having an eagle over L. POMEROY before the hammer and 1821/US to the rear; sling swivels present - comes with proper bayonet marked US/TA included. In November of 1809, New York contracted with Pomeroy to make 1,000 flintlock muskets. Crisp barrel markings overall.

Working action - light oxidation to metal - good finish to stock with expected signs of use but no major wood problems.                          A fine condition gun - rare with the New York marking when it was purchased as a flintlock for a state militia. 

The Model 1816 flintlock musket was the primary arm of U.S. infantrymen from 1816 until 1840. Most cone and bolster-type alterations to percussion were performed by private contractors from the mid-1850's until the early years of the Civil War, and many of the converted flintlocks were used during the war by Union, Confederate, and state forces.

Right - Union soldier holding a cone converted M-1816 musket

 MILITIA Marked "NEW HAMPSHIRE" A. WATERS U. S. MODEL 1816 TYPE 3 CONE CONVERSION PERCUSSION MUSKET Dated 1836   $1900

Now $1500   SOLD

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 .69 caliber, 42 in. round barrel marked at breech with US/J(weak)M//P and NEW HAMPSHIRE, dated 1836 on barrel tang; the lock plate marked US / A WATERS before hammer and MILLBURY/1836 behind the hammer; walnut stock with iron mounts, the trigger guard marked "S" and the butt plate's tang marked "US" - an oval inspector's cartouche with two indistinct letters is behind the side plate. Stock is in very strong appealing condition, has nearly all the original finish and no major wood stock problems. Very good bore. Original threaded ramrod.

Working action but hammer somewhat tight - overall a pleasing musket throughout - normal minor marks throughout as expected from age and usage. Really nice example and rare with the New Hampshire marking when it was purchased as a flintlock for a state militia. 

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The Model 1816 flintlock musket was the primary arm of U.S. infantrymen from 1816 until 1840. Most cone and bolster-type alterations to percussion were performed by private contractors from the mid-1850's until the early years of the Civil War, and many of the converted flintlocks were used during the war by Union, Confederate and state forces. 

Shown Left - Union soldier holding a M-1816 cone converted musket  

State of Maine Identified Officer Lt. William Trevor Smith                                M-1850 Foot Officer Sword Price $4000 Now $3600 

Service:

Co. B - 3rd Maine Infantry / Co. G - 13th Maine Infantry / US Army Engineers Corps / US Army 9th Infantry

Record: *

Enlisted as a Corporal  Jun 4 1861 - Co. B - 3rd ME

Battle 1st Bull Run July 21 1861 - 3rd ME

Discharged for Promotion to 2nd Lt. Dec. 31 1861 into Co. G – 13th ME

Promoted to 1st Lt. July 1 1862

Battles: Brownsville TX, Mustang Island TX, Ft Esperanza TX Nov. 1863 – 13th ME

Resigned Feb. 13 1864

Enlisted in US Army Engineer Corps Dec. 12 1864 as Artificer

Discharged for Promotion to 2nd Lt. April 28 1866 into US Army 9th Infantry

Died of disease July 31 1866 at Ft. Columbus (Ft. Jay) NY Harbor 

​* Reference Am Civil War Data Base 

 

The 13th Maine Infantry Regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment spent 1862–1864 in the Department of the Gulf and finished the war with the Army of the Shenandoah.

During its service, it survived a hurricane off the Carolinas when en route in the Gulf of Mexico, manned the forts guarding the Mississippi Delta, invaded Texas at the Rio Grande and along the coast, fought in General Banks' ill-fated Red River Campaign in Louisiana, manned Washington D.C. defenses and provided rear-area security for the Shenandoah Valley campaign in 1864 south of Harpers Ferry.

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Sword Detail: Model 1850 Foot Officer Sword made by Henry Sauerbier of Newark NJ

The double sided etched blade on the left side is marked SAUERBIER and NEWARK NJ near the ricasso. It also shows a large “US”, crossed Cannons above with various leafy foliate designs on both sides.

The blade’s right side has an etched “Shield and Flag” on a pole followed by a wings up “Eagle” with a star and stripes shield on its breast followed by the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Out of Many One). The original red felt blade washer is present. The leather covered wood scabbard with brass mounts and drag is stamped F. DEECKEN  / NEW YORK. Frederick Deecken had a leather business in 1859 through the Civil War.

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The brass mounts and drag are attached with screws. The upper mount is nicely engraved “TO / Lieut. W.T. Smith / Co. G / 13 Maine Voluns / By / The Members of / Co. B 3 Maine Vol. /  Nov. 15th 1861”.

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The hilt is a regulation style guard with the typical Sauerbier pommel attached to the knuckle bow with a brass screw. The intact grip is strongly and fully covered with shark skin and a twisted brass single wire.

The leather covered wood scabbard is solid but has some leather loss in various places due to heavy usage by the officer over a long term usage (~4.5 years of service with two Maine regiments, US Army Engineer Corps and US Army 9th Infantry based Lt. Smith’s record), but the sword blade and hilt are in very fine, basically clean condition with no blade nicks and there is only some light spotty dark corrosion. Comes with research material on the officer.

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Below is name of New York business who covered the scabbard with leather: F DEECKEN

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Etched Flag on pole with Shield below on right side image and Eagle with shield and raised wings on left side image

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Etched "US" shown on blade to right

Sword maker name SAUERBIER / NEWARK NJ shown below

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Motto E PLURIBUS / UNUM shown below.  UNUM is shown vertically on left side              E PLURIBUS is shown horizontally below

New Jersey 1861 Dated H & P - 69 Cal. Springfield M-1816 Musket Conversion and H & P Made "US" Bayonet    Price $2700  Now $2500

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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 gun is a great example of 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” (Hewes & Philips) 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. The gun definitely saw action in the Civil War.

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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 corrosion 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 that they made for their conversion. Bayonet #6 – Bayonet Lug #16 – Bolster #10 or #18 – Hammer #1  with H & P  and date 1861 on top of barrel. See photos

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

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"NJ" Stamp shown on barrel above and double cartouche marks on stock

Hewes & Philips (H & P) Stamp w 1861 date on top of barrel w Springfield / 1830 on lock plate.

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  Both swords and framed Harbach military record. Now $5900  SOLD

 

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

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The engraved upper scabbard portion 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"

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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.

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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 Staff & Field Officer Sword comes with an original sword knot and is a classy ornate presentation sword. This high grade officer’s sword has an eagle-head quillon as part of the guard, an ornate eagle with shield on the brass pommel as well as the guard, beautiful ornate "Liberty" with shield and sword on the upper mount, and drum-cannon-horn-sword shown on the middle mount with a soldier carrying a flag on the drag.

 

The bright 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 a "US" and it is mostly bright silver overall with no discoloration - a good edge and point. The spine is etched with a floral motif and “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 plum blue, with some very minor oxidation toward a light brown. The throat washer is present - no dents. 

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The M-1861 sword has a knight's head pommel, bone or ivory handle with brass chain and eagle / shield guard. The brass scabbard has an acorn like tip has floral engraving - there is a very minor dent midway on the scabbard. The blade is well etched w flags / cap and an eagle with EPU motto - bright silver with no discoloration. No makers mark - throat washer present. 

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A really nice set of officer grade classy swords with known provenance.

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Ornate upper & lower mounts and drag and presentation inscription

"Always Ready" and "US" motto shown on blade in both photos below. 

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Clauberg - Solligen mark shown ricasso in above photo. 

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The other presentation sword which was the first sword owned by Lt. Harbach before he was promoted to Captain - was engraved on the upper scabbard portion: "Presented to / Lieut. H.W. Horbach / by his friends".

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This M-1860 Eagle hilt etched blade sword has a knight's head pommel, bone or ivory handle with brass chain, a brass scabbard with floral engraving with a very minor dent. The blade is well etched w flags / cap and an eagle with EPU motto. The blade is bright silver with no discoloration. No makers mark - throat washer present.  

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Model 1852 Naval Officer Sword w Sword Knot      Price $2400  ON-HOLD

This US Model 1852 Naval Officer’s sword was introduced in 1852 and is still in parade use with naval officers today. However, those of the Civil War era have distinctly broader blades. It features a cast brass hilt with acanthus decoration and “USN” on the guard, a scrolled sea serpent-head quillon, knuckle bow with sea serpent finial connected to the pommel which depicts acanthus and a US eagle surrounded by 13 stars.

The grip is covered with sharkskin (no losses) and a heavy scrolled brass wire wrap as well as a proper Naval sword knot. The slightly curved 27″ single-edged blade is very strongly etched with the maker’s name “WH HORSTMAN/& SONS/PHILADELPHIA”, anchors, stands of arms, stars, acanthus, and “USN” in a ribbon. The blade is bright and well pointed with sharp etching. There are some minor pin point dots of age corrosion toward the lower end.

The black leather regulation scabbard has an upper and middle brass ring mounts decorated with twisted ship rope while the drag is finished with a sea serpent. The brass sword handle and scabbard mounts are in very fine condition with nice, aged patina.     The leather scabbard is strong with no flaking or open seams.

Note: There is a hand etched block letter name near the top of the upper brass mount that appears to read FINNAM or FINWAY - more research is required to possibly identified the officer. A very nice Naval Officer sword. 

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Etched on the upper mount shown above is an apparent name that is possibly FINNAM or FINWAY

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Large Clip Point Stag Handle Bowie Knife  Price $950

 

This well-made antebellum / Civil War era bowie knife is as sleek as it is menacing. At an impressive 14.5" overall, the handsome clip-point blade measures 9.25" and has ample evidence of being made from a file. Handle is one piece stag, and tang is secured with two iron pins (very small crack near one of iron pins but handle is tight with no looseness). The cross guard is one of the most unique and desirable characteristics of this bowie as it is also made from the tip of a stag antler. All stag on this knife shows very old age and is all original to the knife. A very nice blacksmith made bowie that was made for serious business.

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Confederate Short Artillery Sword w CS Letters on  Cross Bar Quillons     Price $3600  

This is a very good condition Confederate Short Artillery Sword marked with a "C" and "S" on the quillons of both sides of the hilt. The hilt is un-rivetted and in good used condition with crudely cast and bold "C & S" letters. The blade shows mostly smooth corrosion due to age and storage on both sides. The blade is well attached to the handle. The hilt shows a grainy texture from sand casting and a small open cavity hole from casting on the underside of the guard above the ricasso. It is written that this style artillery sword was made by Burger Brothers of Richmond VA. A scarce variety of a Confederate short artillery sword. Overall length 23 3/8" with a slightly rounded point from use. Double edge blade w no sharpening. No scabbard.

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Grainy casting seen on both sides of cross guard as well as cavity hole on the underside on the left below.

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