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Rare Civil War Thomas, Griswold & Company Confederate Naval Cutlass

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Rare Civil War Thomas, Griswold & Company Confederate Naval Cutlass
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Estimate: $5000 - 7000
Manufacturer: None Model: None
Operating out of New Orleans, Thomas, Griswold & Company manufactured and imported military material for the Confederacy from August 1861, when the firm of Hyde & Goodrich was reorganized to make Henry Thomas Jr. and A.B. Griswold the senior partners, to April of 1862, when the Union Occupation of New Orleans went into effect. Holding a reputation for quality rivaling their Northern competition, one of the most famed products of the firm are naval cutlasses following the U.S. 1851 pattern. Measuring 26 inches in overall length, with a 21 1/4 inch spear tipped leaf profile blade, marked on the left side "THOMAS, GRISWOLD, & Co" in an arc over "NEW-ORLEANS". Brass knuckle guard with rolled edges and an upturned rear quillon, and a brass fish scale pattern grip with eagle decorated pommel. Note the absence of the three rivets from the sides of the grip section, a deviation from the U.S. Pattern. A similar sword is illustrated on page 95 of "Confederate Edged Weapons" by William Albaugh, who notes that TG&Co. cutlasses are not frequently seen with the full makers mark on the blades.
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Fine. The blade shows a mixed gray patina, with pitting and a few edge dings. The hilt shows a mixed aged patina, with the rear quillon produced from a separate piece of brass professionally mounted in position. A historically important sword from a major, yet short lived Confederate arms maker.