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Historic Confederate Thomas, Griswold & Co. Cavalry Saber and Scabbard Identified as Captured at New Bern, North Carolina, and then Presented to H.W. Clark - 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. Like most Confederate makers, the firm used antebellum U.S. Army regulation patterns with this particular sword and scabbard being
based on the U.S. Model 1840 Artillery Saber. The curved blade is 35 1/4 inch long and is marked “THOMAS. GRISWOLD & Co./NEW ORLEANS.” on the left ricasso. The brass hilt has floral patterns and a twisted wire and brown leather wrapped grip. The scabbard is brass. A red “A 186” inventory mark is on the front of the guard.
The sword is accompanied by a cloth tag and brass plaque indicating that this sword was captured at New Berne (New Bern), North Carolina, when the city fell to General Ambrose Burnside’s forces on March 14, 1862, and was then presented to H.W. Clark by Captain W. B. Marsh (possibly “W.R. Marsh) and lists the Massachusetts Historical Society. The 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th,
and 27th Massachusetts all fought in the battle of New Bern
on March 14, 1862.
CONDITION: Fine overall with a mostly bright polished blade
with mild pitting, light period sharpening, and edge wear; attractively aged patina on the brass hilt and scabbard, and
mild wear on the fine grip. Overall an solid Confederate
cavalry saber with interesting history.
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000
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OT 1256
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The Battle of New Bern