This most interesting sword until recently was totally painted gold and had been ensconced in a Grand Army of the Republic Hall (GAR) up north. Interesting due to the fact that the sword is of the extremely rare British Pattern 1821 Trooper's cavalry sword in its earliest form; that is with the pipe back blade. None are known to exist! All extant examples have the post-1845 type blades and even these are very rare due to issue, hard use and re-issue; this is the style sword carried by The Gallant 600 in the Charge of the Light Brigade.

Once the 19th century GAR paint was removed by our "In house" restorer, a very fine sword in untouched and uncleaned condition came to light. The sword has an overall length of 42 inches with a 35-inch-long pipe back blade. The smooth brown patinated hilt is iron and has a guard with a central D guard bow and 2 branches. The wooden grips were once covered in a thin layer of leather, but this has worn off from both use and age. Two "ears" extend down from the backstrap that typify this rare trooper's (non-commissioned) pattern. The blade is in excellent polish the last 12 inches near the point has a quill back. The cutting fine edge is sharp yet and has a couple of nicks and very minor cutting-edge bends. The original leather washer is in place between the blade and hilt. Of great significance is the excellent condition brown patinated scabbard made for this sword. The pattern is not English but rather of the Austrian style Model 1850. So, this sword is a hybrid, that has always been together, but it is impossible to know if it was built (prior to being exported) on the Continent or in England. Both Schnitzler and Kirschbaum of Solingen, Prussia and Robert Mole of Birmingham, England exported a similar version to The Tiffany Company of New York City during the Civil War. But these had wire on the grips, the post 1845 style blades and had the star and "TC" stamp on the blades. Be aware these too are in the exact modified Austrian Model 1850 scabbards; we have sold at least 2 of these Tiffany types over the past few years. One could conclude that whoever made the Tiffany swords for use by Union cavalry made this sword for export to the Confederacy. Also, the Confederacy imported thousands of Austrian cavalry sabers of the Models 1845 through to the Model 1861 and thousands of British cavalry swords 1821 to 1853; again, we suggest this is truly a hybrid and very rare. We are confident this is Confederate having come out of a GAR Hall.

This is a great looking sword. Our seasoned restorer has intentionally left remnants of the old gold paint at strategic spots, so its GAR past remains evident. This is a must for a Civil War edged weapon collection.   [pe] [ph:L]

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