GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
ESA - SPECTACULAR AND UNIQUE GILDED SILVER & IVORY RATTLESNAKE AND EAGLE POMMEL THOMAS GRISWOLD PRESENTATION CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER'S SWORD OF COL. JAMES F. GIRAULT OF NEW ORLEANS.This is among the most iconic pattern of Confederate presentation swords known. There are no more than 2 or 3 other silver hilted swords known and this is a marvelous example with a unique design of eagle head pommel holding 3 intertwined serpents which form knuckle bow and guard terminating into a serpent head quillon. The hilt is gilded and retains much of its orig gold plate with silver exposed where worn. Scabbard is mounted with distinctive scalloped gold plated and unique florally engraved mounts with beaded sword ring mounts. Blade is full firm marked on one ricasso with "THOMAS, GRISWOLD" in arc above "NEW ORLEANS". The 29" blade exhibits 23" etched panels which include the presentation "CAPTAIN J. F. GIRAULT BY... / NEW ORLEANS OCT. 16TH 1861". Opposite side of blade is etched with Latin motto which appears to read "TO US ET PRO US". This sword was purchased from the renown collector Gerald W. Fox in the late 1950's along with his entire sword collection by Nicholas A. Penachio (1936-2011) and has remained in his estate until recently. The orig Carl Pugliese hand drawn plate used for illustration in William Albaugh's 1960 text Confederate Edged Weapons also accompanies the sword. This sword has never been published in any Confederate sword text other than by illustration in 1960. James Francis Girault (1821-1889) came from a lineage of Louisiana war heroes. His grandfather, John Girault, took part in the George Rogers Clarke Expedition during the War of 1812 and died at Spanish Fort in December 1814. Both his father, John R. and his Uncle Frank, were American officers at the Battle of New Orleans. John Francis Girault was born in Natchez, Mississippi. After college, Girault studied theology under Bishop Leonidas Polk who he would be assigned to at one point in the Civil War prior to General Leonidas Polk's tragic at Pine Mountain, Georgia. Like Polk, war interrupted their priestly duties. Girault fought in the 4th Louisiana Regiment under Col. Horatio Davis during the Mexican War, later to become Major in the 1st Louisiana Regiment. In 1861, when the South again asked for soldiers, Captain Girault promptly responded and raised a regiment of "Confederate Guards" but were disbanded before leaving Camp Moore. Girault was promoted to Colonel and served on the staff of General Martin Luther Smith at Vicksburg then reported to his old mentor General Polk in Tennessee. Polk appointed him Inspector General on his staff during the Tennessee-Kentucky campaign of 1863. Girault was again transferred as Inspector General to serve again at Vicksburg under General M. L. Smith with the rank of Major. Girault was captured at Vicksburg but was soon paroled and exchanged. No sooner at liberty, then the dauntless soldier reported again to General Smith at Atlanta becoming General Smith's Chief of Staff and remaining there until Atlanta fell. Colonel Girault was now assigned to Richmond and reported to Adjutant General Samuel Cooper to serve as Inspector General for the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. He inspected the fort's, stores, arms and troops and was at Meridian, Mississippi inspecting a cavalry regiment when the war ended. With the struggle over, Colonel Girault returned to New Orleans and prepared to assume the more peaceful robe of the priestly office he aspired. He was ordained December 1, 1867 and in 1869 built St. Anna's Chapel on Esplanade Sreett. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Gerald G. Fox Collection, Longmeadow, Massachusetts; Nicholas A. Penachio, 1959; pictured on pg 99 "Confederate Edged Weapons", William Albaugh, 1960. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Hilt retains most of its orig gold plating as do scabbard mounts. Leather scabbard body is sound and solid with crazing. Middle mount is missing its screw. Blade retains some orig luster with areas of staining and pitting. Etched panels are difficult to read but are discerned when glinted in light. Other etchings include floral panels of grape leaves, tobacco leaves and cotton. Ivory grip has dark patina with several hairlines and chipping on top at eagle's beak which do not effect aesthetics. Silver wire grip wrap is missing. 52867-1 JS (40,000-60,000) ESA -