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Confederate Leech & Rigdon Officer Sword / Saber, Memphis, Tn, Columbus, Ms For Sale
An original Confederate Staff& Field Officer Sword, made by the firm of Leech & Rigdon. This is an example of the so-called "Floating CS", except that the "CS" is missing; or more likely was never there in the first place. In any case, the sword has never been unseated and there is no evidence of it ever having been tampered with (other than a sliver of wood I placed between the guard and the blade shoulder to prevent wobble: easily removed).Although there is one spot of old solder on one of the guard branches (where a "C" may have been affixed) it is my opinion that this sword never had the "CS". The guard branches are too close together to accommodate the "CS" and there would have been evidence of the "CS" having been removed. I believe this sword to be a very early example of the "Floating CS", one made prior to the use of that device. Another distinction is that the blade fuller is a bit wider than on a typical 'floating CS". I have attached a photo of another one of these swords, which I owned years ago, that clearly shows the sword to be made by the same maker. NOTE = The second sword (the one with the "CS") is not part of this sale; as I no longer own it.CONDITION:Hilt = All the brass in good condition, other than being slightly bent and having several dents. All leather is missing. Only the 'stub' of the wire is present. Never un-hilted, this sword has always been together as you see it now.Blade = Never cleaned or sharpened. Tip is blunt (although that is common for this model). A potion of the edge has numerous old nicks. These have been there a very long time, as the patina deep inside the nicks is the same as elsewhere on the blade. While dark in appearance, it is evident that this blade has been in a scabbard, since there is no pitting.Scabbard = The scabbard is a perfect fit to the sword blade. It has brass mounts and a brazed seam, like one would expect of a Leech & Rigdon iron scabbard. Typically these have leather scabbards, but given the early characteristics of this sword and the perfect fit and matching aging to the sword, it is certainly possible that this scabbard is original to this piece. What speaks against this is that the throat and drag are made of iron, and the throat is secured by screws (or rivets). In any case, it came from the family with this scabbard on it.The sword is guaranteed to be Confederate and a version of the "floating CS" staff officer sword. It was either an early product of Thomas Leech and Company (Memphis) or of Leech & Rigdon, Columbus Mississippi (after the firm relocated and Leech picked up a partner). I can send excellent photos of anything you wish to see upon request. Please ask any questions.Again, this sale is only for the sword without the "CS". The photo of the other sword is shown simply to demonstrate that the pommel, grip and guard are identical to the common "floating CS" variety.
