28" blade with brown rusted surface interspersed with pitting marks, smoother toward the point and showing remnants of decoration. Brass hilt with plumed helmet form pommel shows good dark age patina. Black japanned grip with the cross removed and some surface flaking. Based on the state militia swords of the period, this example may date as early as the Civil War or before. The removal of the cross from the grip suggests that it may have served the Confederacy as an NCO’s sword. In view of the acute lack of weapons in the South at the outbreak of the war, it may be assumed that no sword of any description, stayed home once the fighting started.
