LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72250

CONFEDERATE OFFICER'S FLOATING CS FIELD AND

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
CONFEDERATE OFFICER'S FLOATING CS FIELD AND
<B>CONFEDERATE OFFICER'S FLOATING CS FIELD AND STAFF SWORD WITH LEATHER SCABBARD; BY LEECH & RIGDON, COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI</B></I>. This Leech & Rigdon floating “CS” field & staff officer's swords is one of the rarer patterns produced by the firm. This particular example has the “CS” between the first and second branch of the guard. The unstopped fuller blade is 30 ½”; the overall length of the sword is 37” with the original leather washer. The pommel is plain, notched where the knucklebow is adapted to the pommel; the underside of the guard has a “Sunburst” pattern. The guard retains approximately 40% of its original gold gild. The leather scabbard is seamed in the middle on the reverse; overall, the scabbard is stable condition with checking. The mounts are applied with screws; some traces of the original gold gild. Another example of this sword was found by Kent Wall, the piece being etched with the firm name and Columbus, MS, which served to confirm this model sword as a product of Leech & Rigdon.<BR><BR>Thomas Leech produced a wide variety of military accessories that were supplied to the Confederate Government as well as private individuals. Leech began his company under the name of “Memphis Novelty Works”. Later when the firm relocated to Columbus, MS, the name was changed to “Novelty Works.” Leech partnered with Charles H. Rigdon to begin the production of .36 caliber pistols of the Colt pattern in addition to swords, knives, military accessories. At that time, the firm name was changed to “Leech & Rigdon.” The firm continued to operate in Columbus until the late fall of 1862 when they relocated along with the CSA Briarfield Arsenal to Selma, Alabama. Not long afterward the firm again relocated to Georgia, where they discontinued production of swords, concentrating their efforts on manufacture of .36 caliber revolvers.<BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I><BR> <BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I> <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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