Revised: 10/2/2014

Please note: One party contacted us and stated this Dillard sword was originally sold without a scabbard. Another party shared with us that there was more than one Dillard sword that have come to market. The only thing we will guarantee is that this sword is accompanied by a “genuine period confederate scabbard”.

RARE CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD MADE BY LOUIS HAIMAN, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA FOR MAJOR FRANCIS DILLARD.

SN NSN. Louis Haiman of Columbus, Georgia, was one of the largest Confederate sword manufacturers making many enlisted fighting swords. Officer’s swords are, however scarce and this particular type with cast “CS” letters in a turn-down guard is quite rare with less than 20 examples known. This sword has etched panel presentation to Maj. Francis W. Dillard who was Quarter Master in the Confederate Army. Dillard entered Confederate service August 1, 1861 and died in service “from overwork and exhaustion” on February 27, 1865. It is interesting to read his will where he is leaving sums of Confederate money and bonds to his family which would leave family penniless just after war’s end not long after his death. A Columbus newspaper obituary states Dillard was Chief Quarter Master in Columbus, GA. An interesting quote found in the official records in a letter from Henry Wirz commandant of the Andersonville Prison who requested sheet iron for use of prisoners cooking was told, “Sheet-iron should be used for our army, and not for Yankees”. This particular pattern is thought to be the most beautiful and ornate of Confederate swords by many collectors and rarely offered. This sword is accompanied by a file of research including a copy of his will and articles concerning Dillard. There is also an orig Confederate Quarter Master requisition signed by Dillard in February 1864 on his personalized official printed forms. PROVENANCE: Greene Museum of Southern History. CONDITION: Sword measures 36″ overall with 30-1/2″ blade with unstopped fuller. Blade is gray overall with staining and pitting especially at last several inches where scabbard was broken and blade extended unprotected. Etched panels are mostly discernible though partially obscured by pitting. Maj. Dillard’s name is discernible in a central panel but markings under his name could not be deciphered by me though most of the letters can be seen. Etched panels including “CSA” on a guidon are seen along with “DEO VINDICE” in a wreath though weak. A full standing infantryman measures over an inch tall walks over the makers mark “L. HAMAN & BRO COLUMBUS G” (note the misspelling of Haiman). Hilt exhibits mustard colored patina with traces of orig gold plating in protected areas and a large lead repair between knuckle bow and pommel. Grip retains about 20% of its orig leather and its orig woven twisted brass wire wrap otherwise carved grip has hand worn patina with longitudinal crack and several small chips and reductions as can be seen in photos. Accompanying orig scabbard is missing drag and blade protrudes about 3-1/2″. Leather body which is dry but sound has about half the length of its seam opened, brass throat and middle mount show light brass patina, top mount is missing ring stud. 4-54265 JS223 (20,000-40,000) – Lot 3276

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

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
	3276	$48,875.00	Revised: 10/2/2014 Please note: One party contacted us and stated this Dillard sword was originally sold without a scabbard. Another party shared with us that there was more than one Dillard sword that have come to market. The only thing we will guarantee is that this sword is accompanied by a “genuine period confederate scabbard”. RARE CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD MADE BY LOUIS HAIMAN, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA FOR MAJOR FRANCIS DILLARD. SN NSN. Louis Haiman of Columbus, Georgia, was one of the largest Confederate sword manufacturers making many enlisted fighting swords. Officer’s swords are, however scarce and this particular type with cast “CS” letters in a turn-down guard is quite rare with less than 20 examples known. This sword has etched panel presentation to Maj. Francis W. Dillard who was Quarter Master in the Confederate Army. Dillard entered Confederate service August 1, 1861 and died in service “from overwork and exhaustion” on February 27, 1865. It is interesting to read his will where he is leaving sums of Confederate money and bonds to his family which would leave family penniless just after war’s end not long after his death. A Columbus newspaper obituary states Dillard was Chief Quarter Master in Columbus, GA. An interesting quote found in the official records in a letter from Henry Wirz commandant of the Andersonville Prison who requested sheet iron for use of prisoners cooking was told, “Sheet-iron should be used for our army, and not for Yankees”. This particular pattern is thought to be the most beautiful and ornate of Confederate swords by many collectors and rarely offered. This sword is accompanied by a file of research including a copy of his will and articles concerning Dillard. There is also an orig Confederate Quarter Master requisition signed by Dillard in February 1864 on his personalized official printed forms. PROVENANCE: Greene Museum of Southern History. CONDITION: Sword measures 36″ overall with 30-1/2″ blade with unstopped fuller. Blade is gray overall with staining and pitting especially at last several inches where scabbard was broken and blade extended unprotected. Etched panels are mostly discernible though partially obscured by pitting. Maj. Dillard’s name is discernible in a central panel but markings under his name could not be deciphered by me though most of the letters can be seen. Etched panels including “CSA” on a guidon are seen along with “DEO VINDICE” in a wreath though weak. A full standing infantryman measures over an inch tall walks over the makers mark “L. HAMAN & BRO COLUMBUS G” (note the misspelling of Haiman). Hilt exhibits mustard colored patina with traces of orig gold plating in protected areas and a large lead repair between knuckle bow and pommel. Grip retains about 20% of its orig leather and its orig woven twisted brass wire wrap otherwise carved grip has hand worn patina with longitudinal crack and several small chips and reductions as can be seen in photos. Accompanying orig scabbard is missing drag and blade protrudes about 3-1/2″. Leather body which is dry but sound has about half the length of its seam opened, brass throat and middle mount show light brass patina, top mount is missing ring stud. 4-54265 JS223 (20,000-40,000) – Lot 3276 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

RARE CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD MADE BY LOUIS HAIMAN, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA FOR MAJOR FRANCIS DILLARD.