CONFEDERATE LEACH & RIGDON INSCRIBED FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD.

CONFEDERATE LEACH & RIGDON INSCRIBED FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD. A unique Confederate manufactured officer’s sword with an etched panel on the blade containing the presentation: “CAPT. J.D. HOWAR(S or D?)”. This distinctive Confed. Foot Officer’s sword was a product of the firm known as Leach & Rigdon or the Memphis Novelty Works. The sword is a copy of the U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword having a 29” single edged straight blade with a rounded back and unstopped fuller. Decorative etching covers about 70% of the surface. The hilt replicates the U.S. Foot Officer’s style except for the distinctive “CS” in an oval panel on the reverse side of the counterguard. The grip is of wood, covered in leather with dbl strand twisted copper wire wrap. The Memphis Novelty Works, Thomas Leech & Company, established itself as a manufacturer of swords, sabers, knives, bayonets, and other edged weapons early in the War. In the fall of 1861 or early 1862, Leech was joined by Charles H. Rigdon, a scale-maker and machinist from St. Louis, MO, who had previous associations with southern arms makers. At this time the firm also became known as Leech & Rigdon, but it still retained its more common name of Memphis Novelty Works. The company is best known for the manufacture of distinctive foot officer’s swords with “CS” in an oval on the counterguard as well as cavalry sabers imitating U.S. designs. Leech & Rigdon remained in Memphis until May 1862. Just before the city’s capture by the Union Army on May 9, the firm relocated to Columbus, MS, where Confed. authorities had set up an armory. They operated here until Dec. 1862, when the approach of the Union Army once again caused them to move to Greensboro, GA. This firm also produced a number of other pieces of military equipment including revolvers, spurs, belt plates, and eating utensils. Leach & Rigdon formally dissolved January 1, 1864, although Rigdon joined Jesse Ansley to complete the Leech & Rigdon contract with the Confed. government. A cursory search for the name “J.D. Howar (or Howars or Howard)” among records of Confed. officers did not prove conclusive. Further research should turn up this Confed. officer. A very rare opportunity to own an inscribed Confed. manufactured sword. CONDITION: Good. Sword is in untouched “attic” condition with dark patina over all. Patchy pitting on the blade but most of the etching and the presentation is visible. Tip and one 2” section of the blade are pitted heavily. Grip is excellent. Scabbard is missing. Wm. Hancock Collection 4-58639 CW6 (12,000-14,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	877	$10,350.00	CONFEDERATE LEACH & RIGDON INSCRIBED FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD. A unique Confederate manufactured officer’s sword with an etched panel on the blade containing the presentation: “CAPT. J.D. HOWAR(S or D?)”. This distinctive Confed. Foot Officer’s sword was a product of the firm known as Leach & Rigdon or the Memphis Novelty Works. The sword is a copy of the U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword having a 29” single edged straight blade with a rounded back and unstopped fuller. Decorative etching covers about 70% of the surface. The hilt replicates the U.S. Foot Officer’s style except for the distinctive “CS” in an oval panel on the reverse side of the counterguard. The grip is of wood, covered in leather with dbl strand twisted copper wire wrap. The Memphis Novelty Works, Thomas Leech & Company, established itself as a manufacturer of swords, sabers, knives, bayonets, and other edged weapons early in the War. In the fall of 1861 or early 1862, Leech was joined by Charles H. Rigdon, a scale-maker and machinist from St. Louis, MO, who had previous associations with southern arms makers. At this time the firm also became known as Leech & Rigdon, but it still retained its more common name of Memphis Novelty Works. The company is best known for the manufacture of distinctive foot officer’s swords with “CS” in an oval on the counterguard as well as cavalry sabers imitating U.S. designs. Leech & Rigdon remained in Memphis until May 1862. Just before the city’s capture by the Union Army on May 9, the firm relocated to Columbus, MS, where Confed. authorities had set up an armory. They operated here until Dec. 1862, when the approach of the Union Army once again caused them to move to Greensboro, GA. This firm also produced a number of other pieces of military equipment including revolvers, spurs, belt plates, and eating utensils. Leach & Rigdon formally dissolved January 1, 1864, although Rigdon joined Jesse Ansley to complete the Leech & Rigdon contract with the Confed. government. A cursory search for the name “J.D. Howar (or Howars or Howard)” among records of Confed. officers did not prove conclusive. Further research should turn up this Confed. officer. A very rare opportunity to own an inscribed Confed. manufactured sword. CONDITION: Good. Sword is in untouched “attic” condition with dark patina over all. Patchy pitting on the blade but most of the etching and the presentation is visible. Tip and one 2” section of the blade are pitted heavily. Grip is excellent. Scabbard is missing. Wm. Hancock Collection 4-58639 CW6 (12,000-14,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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