There has been much speculation over the years as to the maker of this wooden sheathed sword. In William Albaugh’s 1963 work, A Photographic Supplement of Confederate Swords, he speculates that it is a product of Kraft, Goldschmidt and Kraft of Columbia, South Carolina; based on the long, nearly straight blades, brass ferrule at the base of the grip and small gauge wire used in winding the grips of both swords. Later discoveries had confirmed his supposition. However this pattern is still frequently referred to within the collecting community as having been made by H. Marshall of Atlanta, Georgia. I can find no evidence whatsoever for this attribution. The only sword known to have been made by H. Marshall is an exquisite officer’s sword of the very best quality. I believe the theory that Marshall made this pattern is untenable.

There is a production knife in the South Carolina Relic Room in Columbia, South Carolina, that has a grip and basket identical to the sword shown here, it is identified as having been made in Columbia. Columbia is where the Kraft, Goldschmidt, Kraft sword factory was located. The knife and this pattern sword share several features with the K, G & K officer’s swords: a wire grip winding of small diameter, and leather grip wrap made of inferior material, consequently most are missing the wrap. All have brass ferrules at the base of the grip like the K, G & K officer’s swords.

Another Confederate sword manufacturer located in Columbia was B. Douglas. Douglas produced a cavalry sword that utilized an identical wooden scabbard. Presumably someone in Columbia made scabbards for both manufacturers, or one sold scabbards to the other.

Based on the above evidence there is little doubt that Kraft, Goldschmidt, Kraft is the maker of the pattern shown here.

This example is in extraordinarily good condition. The guard is tight and the leather grip wrap is virtually one hundred percent intact and the wire wrap is one hundred percent complete and still tight. The blade retains its high luster, is has not been cleaned to this brightness. The sword is sheathed in its original wooden scabbard with brass banded tin mounts and a brass throat. Its scabbard is in virtually new condition. It is the finest I have seen in nearly forty years of collecting and dealing in Confederate antiques. Flawless!

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