November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Confederate Presentation grade swords manufactured by Agrider H. Dufilho of New Orleans are some of the finest blades that were created in the South during the Civil War. They are often regarded as "without equal" for the highest level of ornate embellishment, and the most desired are Dufilho "Pelican Feeding Young" Presentation Staff Officers swords. They are seldom found without presentation, let alone etched and presented. Dufilho is listed as a cutler in several locations in New Orleans throughout the 1850s leading up to the Civil War. Dufilho’s signature ornate embellishments of heavy gold gilding and die work are unrivaled. This sword was presented to a lucky officer, who was part of a short-lived New Orleans regiment and may represent the old tradition of breaking one’s sword rather than surrendering it intact to an opponent: a happy combination of pride and spite. The sword features an elegant hilt, with a pommel that is decorated with laurel leaves that flank an uneven blank center and lead to a tiered cap. The center seam was not completely polished out. The knucklebow originates from the pommel and forms into a D shape which morphs into the thickly cast guard, which is arguable the most attractive part of this sword. The guard features Dufilho’s signature pelican feeding its young, surrounded by a laurel leaf complimented by petaled flowers and dividing the highly relief cast letters “CS”. The letters are pleasingly smooth while the background is neatly stippled, furthering the emphasis on the letters and state symbol. The guard terminates with a thick teardrop quillon with high relief cast leaf on back and smooth sides. The wood grip with substantial center swell and grooves that accommodate thin strands of twisted brass wire. The grip was also wrapped with thin brown leather which was dyed black. A leather washer separates the hilt from the blade which is as attractive as the guard. The blade is straight and features a wide fuller with flat spine. The blade is decorated for all of its remaining length with the obverse featuring elegantly etched motifs. The designs begin just above the guard with intricate crosshatching that leads to rococo scrolls, followed by a stand of cannonballs and 2 crossed cannons, pointing upward toward a panoply of polearms and bunting. The rest of the blade is decorated with foliate scrolls that flank a patriotic banner with the letters “CS” in old English font. The decorations end with oak branches, lush with leaves and acorns before the blade was broken. The spine is marked "Zimmerman" with a chisel. The reverse blade is etched with a beautiful foliate scrolled vignette that spans the length of the remining blade which outlines the presentation. The presentation is massive and is beautifully etched, “by Jefferson Fire Guard to Capt. G. Geger of the Confederate States of America, March 24, 1862.” Geiger is listed as Captain Company C, Fire Battalion Louisiana Militia on a 23 November 23, 1861 report. A November 29, 1861 newspaper notice includes the Jefferson Fire Guards, with five other companies as comprising the “Louisiana Fire Battalion.” References to the battalion continue into late January 1862 with notices of drills. Hartzler’s notes indicate Geiger was from Hesse, Germany, and arrived first in Baltimore. The presentation took place exactly 1 month before Farragut managed to get ships past Forts Jackson and St. Philip and doom the city, which surrendered April 25. Neither Geiger nor the unit show up in subsequent records and Hartzler surmises they disbanded in the chaos that ensued upon Union forces entering the city. The broken blade looks very much intentional and likely represents a determination on Geiger’s part not to let a valued, and so recently presented, sword become a war trophy for a Union soldier. The sword is complete with its black leather scabbard that features brass mounts, which were nicely gilded. The upper and middle mount each accommodated a single band and carry ring. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a lovely gray patina with scattered freckling. Interestingly, there are file marks at the break, indicating that after the sword was defaced, perhaps it was repaired and retained by Geiger, or a trophy hunting federal soldier. The patina at the break matches the rest of the blade and there is even consistent freckling. The guard exhibits a beautiful patina with generous amounts of original gilding. The hilt exhibits scattered blemishes from age and handling. Grip with obvious handling wear and loss to the leather wrap which exposes the wood. Wire remains mostly tight. The hilt is loose and produces a slight wobble when handled. The scabbard is misshapen and stiff with scattered cracks and creases throughout its length. The mounts also exhibit liberal traces of original gilding. Upper mount is missing its retaining pins and is loose. There are scattered blemishes on the mounts from handling and age, as well as a few small dents. The sword was displayed outside of the scabbard and there is an old piece of wood inserted in the scabbard which prevents the sword from being sheathed. This sword is featured in several publications including pgs. 64-65 in “Confederate Presentation & Inscribed Swords & Revolvers” as well as pg. 177 in “A Band of Brothers Photographic Epilogue to Marylanders in the Confederacy”. A folder of research accompanies this sword and includes Hartzler Collection notes, scans of book pages the sword is featured in, and research regarding Geiger’s service. Despite the missing tip, which adds character, and interesting insight into a short-lived regiment that was doomed after federal intervention, this is an excellent example of an identified Dufilho presentation staff officer’s sword.
Paperwork
Folder with Research.