EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE “FORT” GUARD FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD

ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE AND SCARCE CONFEDERATE SWORD MODELS, ALMOST NEVER AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC ACQUISITION

Thomas, Griswold & Co., New Orleans, c. 1861–62. Curved single-fullered blade finely etched on both sides with flowing arabesques and patriotic devices, including a clear panel with the letters “C.S.” (Confederate States); obverse ricasso crisply stamped “THOMAS, GRISWOLD & Co. / NEW ORLEANS.” Cast‑brass hilt of M1850 Foot Officer form but with Thomas, Griswold’s celebrated openwork guard incorporating a relief view of a masonry fort/battery amid acanthus, the exceedingly scarce “Fort” motif unique to this maker; phrygian‑helmet pommel with laurel, original leather‑covered wood grip with twisted brass wire wrap. Together with the firm’s characteristic sheet‑brass scabbard that has two carrying rings and shoe drag. 35 1/2 in. overall, 29 1/4 in. blade. 

Thomas, Griswold & Co. were the premier New Orleans sword cutlers, active only until the city’s capture in April 1862. Among their productions, the so‑called “Fort” guard, replacing the usual pierced “U.S.” with a tiny fortification in relief, is one of the rarest Confederate hilt designs, produced in very small numbers at the opening of the war and seldom encountered in private hands.

This sword brings together every hallmark that defines best-in-class Confederate manufacture: a boldly stamped THOMAS, GRISWOLD & Co. mark, the firm’s signature brass scabbard, and, most telling of wartime allegiance, a blade panel etched “C.S.” (CONFEDERATE STATES) that survives plainly legible. Coupled with the elusive “Fort” guard hilt, made only in the brief New Orleans window before April 1862, these features place the piece at the summit of Southern officer’s swords. Examples of this exact configuration are exceptionally few, almost never offered publicly, and when found often lack either the maker’s imprint, the correct scabbard, or intact etching.

This is a museum-caliber specimen and a trophy acquisition for the most advanced collection.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.