GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
RARE CONFEDERATE KG&K, COLUMBIA, SC "WADE HAMPTON STYLE" CAVALRY OFFICER'S SABER.These massive Confederate cavalry sabers made by Kraft, Goldschmidt & Kraft of Columbia, SC are associated with General Wade Hampton as several of his officers are known to have carried them. It is thought Hampton personally had these swords made, as Hampton's cavalry were known to be real fighters and Hampton's officers would carry the largest of all Confederate Cavalry officer's sabers. These 38″ long double edged blades are Solingen imports, 3-fullered and etched in the fullers among patriotic motifs inscribed in Spanish with the translation; "DRAW ME NOT WITHOUT REASON; SHEATH ME NOT WITHOUT HONOR". Possibly the heaviest of all Confederate manufactured cavalry swords, this huge sword, orig made with a leather finger ring to assist the user in holding on to this weapon when it is swung with enthusiasm. This sword exhibits a rare and unique combination of authentic beauty and deadly utility, which reflects Wade Hampton's tactical view that mounted cavalry would fight on horseback. Hampton himself, owned at least two of these swords and was witnessed to kill several Yankees with them. Lore tells of one instance when, with a swift downward stroke, he cleaved a Yankee's head in two, down to the neck. Interestingly, the other Civil War Cavalry General best known for horse mounted sword charges (other than Nathan Bedford Forest) was the Union's famous General George Armstrong Custer, who also carried this sword, which he captured from from a South Carolinian, and was his primary battle sword of choice for the balance of the war. This sword is found in two distinctive hilt patterns, one being US like (Model 1860) and the second, like our example here, is the most desirable with Confederate massive "Prussian Style" hilt with overlapping decorated branches. The massive lap-seamed iron scabbard is mounted with distinctive brass KG&K ring mounts and pinned throat. With most of these rare swords in museums, this is a rare opportunity to find such a beautiful example available to the public. SIZE: CONDITION: Very good overall. Leather grip appears complete and orig with the fine, twisted brass wire wrap. Blade is overall grey with old cleaning and scattered areas of staining and buttplate. Etched panels are partially discernible. Protective leather washers both present, though finger loop has been removed. Hilt is complete with two soldered repairs to outside branches, which have both sprung loose (can easily be repaired by conservator). Scabbard is sound and solid, retaining much of its orig black paint, with small dents, especially near drag along with pitting and touched up paint at drag. 51574-1 JS (20,000-30,000)