- Joined
- Jul 28, 2015
Here is a newspaper article about the Maker of your wonderful sword, which is mentioned in the 4th line of the article below. I imagine the idea of throwing the knife was soon forgotten when faced with a soldier with musket or pistol, but it appears a very stout weapon. I had no clue these even existed, but have found three such specimen on the internet. One is currently for sale on the Midwest Relic site for $5K. Georgia sure had some unusual ideas, early in the war ( Lasso knife, pikes and double barrel cannon)I mentioned this sword a while back. It was in my grandmother's house. Her grandfather and his brother were in the Confederate artillery.
View attachment 175192
View attachment 175193
What do you experts think? Is this a Confederate sword?
From the Macon Telegraph Feb 1, 1862:
"We inspected the large manufacturing establishment of Major McElroy & Co, yesterday and were much pleased at the activity and energy displayed by the firm. Besides manufacturing all varieties of Tin and Copper vessels and articles for ordinary use, they manufacture everything for army purposes that can be made out of tin and copper. We saw excellent specimens of Swords' Regulation Staff, Service, Cavalry Sabre and Foot Artillery Cutlasses, both etched and plain blades. The Staff Swords were beautiful. The scabbard is of polished steel, with bronzed fittings. We saw these swords in their various stages--from being forged until ground and polished. We also saw specimens of Cavalry Spurs, for staff officers and privates and also Cavalry Bits, of brass.
They manufacture Cap Letters, for companies, of any size or style, either of brass or plated and brass cannons crossed for artillery caps.
They also cast all of the brass belt fixings, clasps, etc. All kinds of this type of work is done here.
We were shown specimens of pikes made at this establishment. The blades are eleven inches in length and when ground and sharpened and banded to the six foot handle, look quite formidable.
We were shown a specimen of what is called the "Lasso Knife". The blade is from twelve to sixteen inches in length, with a solid brass handle, to which is attached a rope. It is designed for throwing at the enemy and it is a "deadly weapon" in the hands of skillful men. We saw a beautiful specimen of one, silver mounted and ornamented.
They also manufacture Bowie Knives of all patterns."
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