The Nashville Plow Works, operated by Messrs. Sharp and Hamilton, produced farm implements prior to the War. With the coming of the War, the proprietors rightly guessed that farm equipment would not be selling in the near future and converted their shop to the production of swords, taking the Biblical injunction "melt your plowshares into swords...." (Joel 3:10) quite literally. The Nashville Plow Works continued operation until Union forces took Nashville on April 1, 1862. At this time, the proprietors of the firm were charged with treason and arrested, thus effectively ending the firm's existence.

The number of sabers produced by the Nashville Plow Works is unknown. However, based on the number of pieces that still exist, it can be surmised that Sharp & Hamilton turned out a relatively large quantity of cavalry officer’s swords before they were captured by Union troops. These weapons are distinct in character, having the firm's name and "CSA" cast in their brass guards.

The Cavalry Officer’s Model sword shown here is typical of their work. The grip and guard have only slight play. Nearly all of the leather wrap is gone, but the wire wrap remains. The original throat washer covers part of the "Nashville Plow Works” cast into the guard. The two, lower inner branches are detached , but it has always been this way and is not fragile because of it. The blade is beautiful, smooth, and nick free.

The scabbard is the sword’s original, and it is 160 year old perfection, with hardly a ding in it, and it still retains nearly 100% of its original black japan

All in all, this is a very good example of this maker’s sword and scabbard.

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