December 15, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2020
Originally in the collection of Carl Pugliese, noted collector of CS swords, this classic Confederate cavalry saber has a blade in the bright and a wood scabbard retaining all of its original red varnish finish, something even rarer than the sword. This pattern has been occasionally attributed to H. Marshall of Atlanta, but his contract sabers were shorter and the K.G.&K. identification has held. Based in Columbia, SC, the firm is best known for officers’ sabers carried by Wade Hampton and (a captured one) carried by Custer, and characteristically used impressive, long, straight blades. The hilt is in pleasing, untouched attic condition with a nice age patina to the brass and just a little rubbing on the pommel and edge of the guard. Pommel, branches and guard have no bends or breaks. The grip is very good, with single wire binding and better than 90 percent of the thin leather wrap, which is notoriously prone to wear on these sabers. Short ferrule at the guard, another K.G.&K. characteristic. The blade has a typically unstopped fuller, measures 35 5-8 inches long and 1 5-16 inches wide at the base, and preserves its original leather washer and tension retaining springs. The blade is a collector’s prize: completely untouched, with good edge and point, and mirror finish, complementing the untouched look of the hilt. The scabbard is a tribute to Confederate material shortages and ingenuity. Two wood slats were mortised to fit a blade, joined together by pins, painted with red varnish and bound with three tin mounts for the brass throat, ring bands, and drag. Sometimes thought to be the work of Lewis L. and T.R. Moore of Atlanta, who supplied wooden saber scabbards to the Charleston Arsenal, they occasionally appear with swords made by B. Douglas, a Columbia, SC, maker like K.G.&K. (Ref. S. Pritchard and G.L. Jones.) The mounts preserve 90% of their bright tinning. CONDITION: Excellent and untouched with great finish to the blade and color to the scabbard. Minor surface dirt, light dings to scabbard. Slight rubs to the brass hit. A lesser example sold at Dan Morphy/ James Julia in 2007 for over $15,000. This is a wonderful example with great provenance that would stand out in any collection. SR/JK
Item Dimensions: 45"