Original Listing Description

PRESERVING AMERICAN HISTORY, CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE BOYLE & GAMBLE FOOT OFFICER SWORD W CS ON BLADE AND MOTTO VICTORY OR DEATH. VERY RARE. THIS ONE IS ALSO MARKED BOYLE AND GAMBLE ON THE RICASSO.If you have wanted an etched blade original Confederate officers sword then this one is for you. This is an original Confederate officer's sword and is the style known to collectors as the "foot" officer sword. These were worn by the lower ranking officers in the Confederate service. The blade on this sword is full-length and measures 30-1/4th inches in overall length. On each side of the blade it has the single unstopped Fuller. The color of the blade is a nice mottled gray color. It has the original factory etching visible on both sides. At the center of the back of the blade it has the "CS" lettering still visible. You can also see etched motto "VICTORY OR DEATH" and it is nice and clear. At the base of the blade, you can see the traces of the maker marking of the most famous sword maker in Richmond, Boyle & Gamble. The construction of the handle and the grip also let us know who made the sword. This is the distinctive construction technique of the Richmond, Virginia firm of Boyle and Gamble. They were the premier sword maker in Virginia for the Confederacy during the Civil War. As you can see they constructed a very attractive sword even though there manufacturing techniques were not as finally honed as those of their northern counterparts. The handguard of the sword is made of cast brass and has the floral pattern which denotes it being for foot officer's rather than staff officers. The staff officer swords of the day would have the "CS" lettering to denote the higher rank. The pommel cap of the sword is also distinctive to Boyle & Gamble. It has the Laurel leaf design that is distinctively Boyle and Gamble. The handle of the sword is remaining. It retains the original wooden core as well as about 95% of the leather. It has the entire single strand copper wire intact on the handle. The sword is accompanied by the original scabbard. The scabbard has the brass mounts and drag intact. The top stitch leather displays well with a couple of repairs that are mentioned for exactness. It is a very cool original Confederate officer's sword that has a ton of character!

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Civil War collectors and appraisers.