After Leech and Rigdon moved to Greensboro, Georgia and reconstructed, the factory focused primarily on making pistols and had virtually ceased making swords.

This sword has the Leech and Rigdon standard fish scale pattern cast into the hollow brass grip. The hand guard is made of rolled sheet brass that has a heavy copper content, to make it easier to roll.

What is so extraordinary (besides having its original scabbard) about this cutlass is that the brass on both the guard and scabbard are gilted. This is not the paint applied by GAR posts in later years, this is actual gilt. The only explanation for such a thing is that it was done for a presentation. To who, no one but God knows, but a presentation none the less. There are the remains of a paper label affixed to the scabbard, but unfortunately it has so much missing that it is unintelligible.

I could bypass writing about the condition by just stating that it is virtually perfect, but some will still want details, so here goes: the hand grip and guard are fastened to the blade by peening the tang over the pommel and it remains as tight as the day it was made. The patina is original and untouched with much gilt remaining on both the sword and scabbard. The blade is perfect; it has never been repointed, cleaned or sharpened. But for the inch or so of broken thread in the seam of the scabbard, and a slight splitting at the sides, opposite the broken thread, it too is perfect.

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