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CONFEDERATE FOOT ARTILLERY SWORD

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This foot artillery sword, or heavy artillery sword, was made by W. J. McElroy in Macon, Georgia. Even though no maker marked examples of this exact type have come to light both E. J. Johnston and W. J. McElroy manufactured virtually identical swords in Macon Georgia. Both types are found sheathed in an identical wooden tin mounted scabbard. Johnston typically marked his swords while the McElroy types were un-marked. One can conclude that these two makers shared bladesmiths, fitters and finishers.

This example is in truly outstanding condition, it has to be one of the best! The brass hilt is tight to the blade and retains its deep, rich, natural patina. The concentric circle pattern grip shows casting flaws. Additionally, this hilt shows where care was applied in the finishing process, and it was lathe turned at the pommel and the ends of the cross-guard. The 41 1/2-inch blade is bright and has never been cleaned but and shows its original burnish. It features those very desirable "corn pone" forging flaws that Confederate collectors love to see. The sword is in its excellent original black painted wooden scabbard with tin mounts top and bottom also painted black, or the paint has oxidized to that color. The scabbard’s drag finial which is lead or pewter is intact. The tin mounts remain tightly rivetted while the brass frog stud is solid and shows casting flaws.

Amazingly this sword is mounted in its, as worn, original harness which includes the belt and scabbard frog. This rig is pre-war militia or regular US Artillery issue. The once buff belt, now blackened as per the regulations of 1859, is in solid condition with good seams. The original frog is sewn in place and is in excellent condition with tight seams. The Confederate sword scabbard has never been out of this frog and due to natural age shrinkage, it would be impossible to get it out. About 32 inches of the belt remain but the original belt plate has been cut off intentionally. The keeper end remains with the numbered brass keeper sewn in place. What the "souvenired" buckle was is anyone's guess: US Eagle plate, Virginia, Mississippi etc.?  There are three small holes in the belt that show it was once nailed to a board or wall.

These heavy artillery swords were designed for combat at the guns. Their specific purpose was to disembowel enemy cavalry horses! They remained regulation in armies worldwide well after our Civil War. Russian and Prussian artillery continued to wear them into World War 1. The Confederacy, in the face of great shortages, made and issued them until the end. Examples have been excavated on sundry battlefields. This sword and belt were once the property of George Marinos and were displayed at his famous Gettysburg Military Museum. The look of sword and belt rig is "untouched" and unaltered just as used by the unknown Confederate soldier.   [pe][ph:L]

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