3061

UNIQUE PRESENTATION CONFEDERATE SWORD OF GENERAL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
UNIQUE PRESENTATION CONFEDERATE SWORD OF GENERAL
WILLIAM PORCHER MILES. (S# 11902). This sword is one of a handful made for Confederate officers by the English firm of Henry Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s swords had the reputation being among the best in the world. His swords of different patterns were purchased by soldiers of many countries, including the United States & Confederate States during the Civil War. The Miles presentation sword was delivered in London to Benjamin Franklin Evans, who was in London on behalf of the Confederate Govt. at the time. B. F. Evans is best known being a South Carolina lithographer making Confederate stamps & currency. This sword has unique 2” etched panel of 2 crossed Confederate First National flags w/ 12 stars in circle on each canton. William Porcher Miles was appointed to the First Provisional Confederate Congress in Montgomery where he headed the committee to design the flag for the Confederate States. The design accepted was the Stars & Bars, the same design on the crossed flags that appear on both sides of this sword. The first Confederate flag was hoisted in Montgomery, AL. March 4, 1861. By April, W. P. Miles was back in Charleston on General P. G. T. Beauregard’s staff. After the Battle of Manassas, the newly designed Stars & Bars were found too easily being confused w/ the Stars & Stripes in the smoke of battle; a new flag design was needed. Miles again was involved w/ Beauregard in the design of a new flag for battlefield use only which would soon be adopted that we know today as the St. Andrews cross used by the Army in Northern Virginia and Army of Tennessee. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a large file of research materials accompany sword. CONDITION: very good to fine overall. 32 1/2" Blade retains much of its original luster & polish, 12” etched panels w/ central motifs of crossed flags over Miles. Pierced iron guard of the new pattern English officer sword has iron patina inside guard & gray mottled patina outside. Iron scabbard is overall dark gray w/ pitting. A thin buff leather sword knot is still attached. Shark skin & triple twisted wire grip wrap are complete & fine. (02-13602/JS). $40,000-60,000.