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Confederate Made Knight’s Head Sword
Item #: OS-7303
This is not a militia sword; it is a Confederate sword. This is a one of
a kind Confederate Officer’s Sword by Aaron Miles of Columbia South
Carolina. At first glance it would be
assumed that this was a South Carolina Militia Officer’s Sword, but closer examination
reveals that it is a Confederate sword, used by a South Carolinian; an
important distinction, because there is only one other known knight’s head
pommel sword made during the Confederate era.
This sword’s blade is not only etched with "S CAROLINA” and "C STATES”,
it is etched with the maker’s name: "A. Miles” over "Columbia” at the ricasso. In addition, both sides are etched with floral
patterns.
Aaron Miles is listed in the 1859 Columbia,
S.C. business directory as a military tailor, located at 75 ½ Richardson Street.
I do not believe Miles personally made the sword. There is no indication that
he had the skill to do so, in fact my first thought was that it was made in the
north and imported by Miles, but on close inspection, noting the poor casting,
file marks, etc... I personally am convinced that Miles, or his workmen copied
the hilt castings of an existing hilt, then added their own decorated brass
Palmetto and that Miles etched it, but I believe it most likely that he used an
existing blade and scabbard.
There is scattered, speckled
carbon staining along the blade’s smooth surface, and the tip has been
repointed long ago. I judge that it was
done during or shortly after its serviceable life because the carbon staining
where it was repointed is much darker than the blade itself. The blade does not
have a single edge nick. The grip is
made of bone and is surmounted by a brass knight’s head pommel. Both sides of
the brass crossguard are ornately decorated with a brass, engraved Palmetto,
set into enamel. The entire hilt remains
as tight as when it was manufactured and it retains its original Morracan
throat washer.
The sword is sheathed in its
original all brass scabbard with a prominent raised five-pointed brass star
soldered to it between the mounts. The
scabbard’s body is ornately engraved with flames rising from the face that
serves as a drag. It does not have a
single dent or flaw though the mounts indicate a lot of use. It is perfect.
This one of a kind sword is a
beautiful addition to any Confederate or South Carolina collection. Price $5,500.00 USD
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