High-grade, presented M1860 Staff and Field Officer's sword. Columbus, Ohio: M. C. Lilley, ca. 1893. Blade produced [Solingen, Germany: Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co, n.d.]

30 1/16 in. double-edged, spear-point blade with 2 stopped fullers. Overall 37 7/8 in. Ricasso etched "Made by the / M. C. Lilley +  / Co. / Columbus, Ohio". Ricasso reverse stamped with a WKC badger. Overall acid-etched and gold washed with geometric patterns, patriotic motifs, and the inscription: "Presented to Colonel T. C. Taliaferro. / by his friends, Tampa, Fla. 1893." Silver grip with 13 wraps of braided wire. Brass grip decorated with arrow-headed lightning bolts. Complete in nickel scabbard.

The sword is in very fine shape. Its blade exhibits a subtle dark patina and the gold wash is worn, albeit still present. The kidney-shaped folding counter-guard is held in place and is immobile.

President and later board member of the First National Bank and namesake for the T. C. Taliaferro house, Thomas Carson Taliaferro (1859-1928), was the sword's recipient. He was granted the rank of "colonel" due to his preeminence in business in Tampa, Florida, though assumed the role with gravity, donning a full dress uniform for significant local events and photographed therein alongside Mayor F. A. Salomonson (1860-1911) on at least one occasion. 

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.

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