Rare Confederate Saber

[Specster]

Going out to auction at the end of the month. The gentleman handling the auction lives in my town and we met recently. He is very knowledgeable in many areas of militaria. He was very proud of this particular saber. He said it was very rare - one of 30 believed to exist. He put it in my hand. I though to myself "its nice but I have held nicer....". I think my assessment may be wrong.....legitimate Reb Officer sabers are few and far between. CSA naval weapon are ridiculously rare. Many people may claim they have these but he has as close to proof as one will get.

Let me know if you disagree it is truly as rare as he claims

Scarce Civil War Courtney & Tennant S.c. Confederate Naval Officer Sword And Scabbard Made By Robert

Scarce Civil War Courtney & Tennant S.C. Confederate Naval Officer Sword and Scabbard made by Robert Mole in England. T

www.liveauctioneers.com

 

[UCVRelics]

It is a VERY RARE ID CS piece and I have an eye on it and have his records, but it will go for 4 time more than current bid. So we shall see

 

[Specster]

It is a VERY RARE ID CS piece and I have an eye on it and have his records, but it will go for 4 time more than current bid. So we shall see

My word...if I knew that when he let me hold it I dont think I would have given it back.......

 

[Lanyard Puller]

@Specster

It is indeed a rare CSN sword, known in the collector world as a "Dolphin Head" {looks more like a lion} but the verbal ID will add nothing to the value. @ucvrelics has already "run" the name the seller has given to you, but it doesn't put the sword in his hands {receipt, engraving, etc}. If it did the value would double.

Courtney & Tennent was the Charleston, SC dealer who imported and sold the sword, but as for the "30" or so in existence, again unless that number can be verified, it's only a very good approximation.

As it was a Naval Officer design I'd guess the number {from C&T} would be close. The dolphin {white pebble like} wrap is more valuable{and rare} than the sharks skin {small dark diamonds} wrap, both of which were used; one by Firmin the other by Robert Mole

Yes, it's truly rare, in wonderful condition and should sell well over the 15K starting bid.
If you are a CSA sword collector and have been looking for one of these...then..

Below are some photos of details from 2 others;

Provenance doesn't get much better than this. Pearson was on the CSS Georgia and lived the life of a wealthy English "Gentleman" after the war.

Dolphin skin wrap

Shark skin wrap

One maker used a Naval Jack for his "flag" the other used a 12 star National

The C.S.N. fouled anchor is on both makers swords.

 

[UCVRelics]

@Specster

It is indeed a rare CSN sword, known in the collector world as a "Dolphin Head" {looks more like a lion} but the verbal ID will add nothing to the value. @ucvrelics has already "run" the name the seller has given to you, but it doesn't put the sword in his hands {receipt, engraving, etc}. If it did the value would double.

Courtney & Tennent was the Charleston, SC dealer who imported and sold the sword, but as for the "30" or so in existence, again unless that number can be verified, it's only a very good approximation.

As it was a Naval Officer design I'd guess the number {from C&T} would be close. The dolphin {white pebble like} wrap is more valuable{and rare} than the sharks skin {small dark diamonds} wrap, both of which were used; one by Firmin the other by Robert Mole

Yes, it's truly rare, in wonderful condition and should sell well over the 15K starting bid.
If you are a CSA sword collector and have been looking for one of these...then..

Below are some photos of details from 2 others;

Provenance doesn't get much better than this. Pearson was on the CSS Georgia and lived the life of a wealthy English "Gentleman" after the war.
View attachment 437255

Dolphin skin wrap
View attachment 437258

Shark skin wrapView attachment 437259

One maker used a Naval Jack for his "flag" the other used a 12 star National
View attachment 437256

The C.S.N. fouled anchor is on both makers swords.
View attachment 437257

@Lanyard Puller is spot on. If was inscribed "Presented To" with his name if would be a VERY big deal. I love tracking down stuff like this and this one was pretty EZ as it being a CS Naval officer. Would it hold up in court, Don't know but there was only one CS Naval officer with those first letters in his name.

 

[Specster]

@Specster

It is indeed a rare CSN sword, known in the collector world as a "Dolphin Head" {looks more like a lion} but the verbal ID will add nothing to the value. @ucvrelics has already "run" the name the seller has given to you, but it doesn't put the sword in his hands {receipt, engraving, etc}. If it did the value would double.

Courtney & Tennent was the Charleston, SC dealer who imported and sold the sword, but as for the "30" or so in existence, again unless that number can be verified, it's only a very good approximation.

As it was a Naval Officer design I'd guess the number {from C&T} would be close. The dolphin {white pebble like} wrap is more valuable{and rare} than the sharks skin {small dark diamonds} wrap, both of which were used; one by Firmin the other by Robert Mole

Yes, it's truly rare, in wonderful condition and should sell well over the 15K starting bid.
If you are a CSA sword collector and have been looking for one of these...then..

Below are some photos of details from 2 others;

Provenance doesn't get much better than this. Pearson was on the CSS Georgia and lived the life of a wealthy English "Gentleman" after the war.
View attachment 437255

Dolphin skin wrap
View attachment 437258

Shark skin wrapView attachment 437259

One maker used a Naval Jack for his "flag" the other used a 12 star National
View attachment 437256

The C.S.N. fouled anchor is on both makers swords.
View attachment 437257

Those photos are awesome

 

[CowCavalry]

Is that a Star of David on the base of the blade?

 

[UCVRelics]

No it has nothing to do with the Jewish Star of David. Its just a 6 pointed star that British sword markers used around the "Proof" slug in the middle of the star.

 

[Specster]

There is an, I believe, a 7 point star in a large sign in my town's historical society, locked away. I dont know the legend behind it but people in the know consider it very converted. I think it has something to do with the Freemasons.

 

[bayonet]

It is a VERY RARE ID CS piece and I have an eye on it and have his records, but it will go for 4 time more than current bid. So we shall see

Thank the Gods my Ancestors fought for the Union. Union collectibles are so much cheaper!

 

[Specster]

Is that a Star of David on the base of the blade?

The Star of David was prohibited by General Order 11....

(no it wasnt but some people who dont know the whole story......)

 

[Glen_C]

No it has nothing to do with the Jewish Star of David. Its just a 6 pointed star that British sword markers used around the "Proof" slug in the middle of the star.
View attachment 437303

Wilkinson started this and the 'star' is two interlocking triangles signifying strength.

 

[Glen_C]

Post #57 of this thread

The Wilkinson double triangle that surrounded the Proof mark first made it's appearance in 1844.

It has been discussed and dissected over the years and various explanations given from Star of David to other fanciful explanations.

It was in fact what it was - a double triangle. The triangle is the strongest geometric shape so double that to emphasise Henry Wilkinson 'brutal' blade testing machine built in 1844 and mentioned in the 1st Edition of Observations on Swords.

Here is a pattern for this mark made to be cast and inlaid in Gold on very expensive presentation swords circa 1860

From this one can actually see TWO triangles intertwined.

from this thread at SFI

Wilkinson Sword Characteristics - Page 3

Use this thread to showcase & discuss specifics germane to Wilkinson swords.

www.swordforum.com

Cheers
GC

 

[Glen_C]

The Star of David was prohibited by General Order 11....

(no it wasnt but some people who dont know the whole story......)

Related but not so much blade related.

General Order No. 11 (1862) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Specster]

Related but not so much blade related.

General Order No. 11 (1862) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

ALERT - I wasnt being serious