Memphis Novelty Works Confederate Cavalry Saber
Item #: AA3214
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This is a Confederate Memphis Novelty Works Cavalry saber made by the Thomas Leech & Co. of Memphis, Tennessee. Leech produced weaponry for the South at his Memphis location from September, 1861 to May of 1862. With the early fall of Tennessee the firm relocated the business to Columbus, Mississippi adjacent to the Confederate Briarfield Arsenal. They would move in late 1862 to Selma, Alabama under the new name of Leech & Rigdon, again co-located with the Confederate Arsenal. In March of 1863 Leech & Rigdon moved for the last time to Greensboro, Georgia, this time separate from any Confederate arsenal. This sword is most likely one produced at the Memphis, Tennessee location. The sword measures 41 1/2" overall, with a blade length of 35 1/2". The blade is slightly curved with a flat spine and measures 1 1/8" at the guard. It is a single edged blade with an unstopped fuller that measures 26 3/4". The edge of the blade is free of nicks or dings. The blade has a light steel gray patina with a couple of small age spots. It still has a bit of shine left to it! The blade has never been sharpened. The brass hilt has a beautiful, untouched dark chocolate patina, with a hint of that Confederate "red brass" tint showing through. On the back side of the guard, at the top, the number 81 has been stamped into the brass. Just below the number the name MEMPHIS is stamped into the guard. For whatever reason, someone took a file to the second and third lines, and all that is still visible is the W in WORKS. This was done long ago, as the back side of the guard has an all matching patina. The leather washer is missing in action. The blade is still very tight on the grip. The wooden grip is covered with the original leather wrap, but it shows plenty of wear from use. You can see the cording unique to the Memphis Novelty works swords showing where the leather has worn off. The double strand brass wire is complete and still tight on the grip. The brass pommel cap has the "high hat" feature found on these Confederate swords. It has been stamped on the obverse side with a matching number 81 found on the guard. The knucklebow on the reverse side has the Roman numerals XIII scratched into it just below the pommel cap. The peen is unmolested, as is the entire sword. The hilt, pommel cap and blade are all very tight, and there is only a slight deflection when handled. The scabbard is made of iron and has a brass throat and mounts. It has that southern trait of a lap seam on the back side. The mounts show obvious wear from the iron suspension rings, so this one didn't just hang around in camp! Overall this is an excellent example of a no frills, Memphis Novelty Works manufactured Cavalry saber that saw service during the Civil War. It will complement any Confederate Cavalry collection.
Shipping Weight:
5 lbs
Item # AA3214
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