GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
ESA - EXTREMELY RARE IVORY GRIPPED DUFILHO OFFICER'S SWORD WITH BLADE PRESENTATION TO LT. DAVID MCCOARD, CONFEDERATE GUARDS.Among the rarest of all Confederate Foot Officer's swords are the ivory gripped examples made by New Orleans cutler Agrider H. Dufilho. This example has full firm marking with etched blade with "CS" on one side and presentation on other reading "To David McCoard from his friends in Confederate Guards Co. D". David McCoard is shown mustering into Louisiana Confederate Guards Infantry March 1, 1862 as 1st Lieutenant. Dan Hartzler in his 1988 text Confederate Presentation and Inscribed Swords and Revolvers shows another ivory handled Dufilho sword with identical style inscription that the author believes to have been etched by J.F. Zimmerman. Hartzler categorizes Zimmerman as among the finest Confederate master etchers who "incorporated rococo... flowery style of ornamentation characterized by excessive curved lines...excessively ornate and highlighted with line etching". Ivory handled Confederate swords rarely come to market and this is a beautiful with good collection history. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Ex-Al Lewis collection, Ex-Jim Harris collection. CONDITION: 29" blade is overall gray with staining, pitting and old cleaning. 22" etched panels are all discernible, makers mark is lightly struck so some letters are weak. Leather on scabbard is heavily chipped, scuffed and dyed black for good presentation. Wood body is intact and sound. Scabbard mounts exhibit fine chocolate/mustard colored patina with strong traces of gilt on top to mounts, hilt have similar matching patina and traces of gilt. Ivory grip exhibits fine patina with several long longitudinal cracks; original triple brass wire wrap is complete and tightly wound. 50412-51 JS (20,000-30,000) ESA -