From the collection of the Texas Civil War Museum, this is a Confederate version of the US staff and field officer sword Model 1850. With a "CS" crudely cast and finished in the brass guard and other characteristics on the pommel, finial and guard we can say the sword was made by James Conning of Mobile, Alabama. Conning was a jeweler, silversmith, and military outfitter during the Civil War and was one of the few Confederate sword makers to set up manufacturing of high quality officer’s swords early in the Civil War. Jacob Faser headed the operation from June of 1861 until April 1862; Faser had previously been a sword maker and silversmith working for Horstmann of Philadelphia for 15 years prior to coming to Mobile.

The leather grips are 99% in place and all the original twisted brass wire is intact. The typical Conning blade, with unstopped "blood gutters", is 30 inches long and is not etched. The surface is very good with no pitting. The scabbard is missing.

Click here to learn more about James Conning and his business history from the Volume No. 39, Fall 1978 Bulletin of the American Society of Arms Collectors. [pe/ld] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!