FINE AND UNIQUE CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD OF MISSISSIPPI LT.COL. SAMUEL M. MEEK.

FINE AND UNIQUE CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD OF MISSISSIPPI LT.COL. SAMUEL M. MEEK. This is a fabulous sword exhibiting a branched hilt with large oval medallion with “CS” seen on a few Leech & Rigdon cavalry officer’s sabers. This particular sword utilizes this hilt. A 31-1/2″ staff officer’s blade in a brass mounted leather scabbard. This sword is well provenanced to Lt.Col. Meek who was from Columbus, Mississippi where this sword was made. Sword was photographed in 1938 in the Meek home in Columbus and included in volume 44, Part 1, of “Source Material for Mississippi History”. As can be seen in photos, sword is wonderfully etched with a large “CS” and “LEECH & RIGDON, COLUMBUS, MISS”. Sword is in wonderful overall condition and appears identical to when it was photographed in 1938 as part of a WPA historical society. There is a very large file and archive on Meek’s history and provenance on this sword. Lt.Col. Meeks has a long and colorful Southern history, as did his fore-bearers. Meek was a politician prior to and after the war. He was a friend and business partner with Nathan Bedford Forrest. Meek entered the war in Nov 1861, first with the 5th Regiment Mississippi Volunteer troops, which was designated Company C, 1st Regiment Mississippi Regiment. On Dec 20, 1861 the unit moved by rail to Corinth, Miss. Meek stated in his diary that he has traveled 134 miles and noted that his sword and gun were the gifts of a friend, J.T. Harrison (a prominent attorney and citizen of Columbus, Miss. who was elected as delegate to the Confederate Constitution Convention and who later served in the Confederate Congress and was a personal friend of Jefferson Davis. He was later elected to the U.S. Congress after the war.) Meek was elected to the rank of Lt.Col. of 1st Regiment on December 8, 1861, but was released from service within three months, seeing very little action. On April 12, 1862, five days after the battle of Shiloh, Meek reentered the military service as Lt. of Company H 35th Mississippi Infantry. Meek and the 35th Mississippi would now see service at Corinth; Tupelo, Mississippi; Holly Springs; Grenada; and Vicksburg. Meek resigned in March 1863, stating that his duties as District Attorney were more compelling. Meek was involved in court-marshal proceedings as a trial attorney in Vicksburg before heading home to Columbus. Meek again entered service as Captain of Company D 1st State Troops, Mississippi Infantry and within a week was appointed Lt.Col. by order of Governor Clark. Meek saw the balance of the war in various administration functions and garrison duties. Meek died December 21, 1901 and is buried in Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi. His wife died four days later on Christmas Day and his daughter died December 29th, all dying of Typhoid Fever. PROVENANCE: Lt.Col. Samuel Mills Meek; other family descendants of Meek; James C. Harris; private Southern collection. CONDITION: Blade is gray overall with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Etched panels are complete and discernible. Brass hilt and pommel exhibit rich dark patina with heavy mottled gold which almost appears as being painted on. Leather grip is 90% intact with areas of flaking and chipping at high areas. Orig twisted brass wire is all intact and tight. Scabbard is sound and solid and supple. Mounts exhibit yellow/mustard patina with scattered small dents, scrapes and scratches. Blade is missing from drag. Top mounts are both loose due to shrinkage of leather. Brass sword connecting rings are both bent tight, as can be seen in photos. 4-46531 JS22 (90,000-120,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	2031	$0.00	FINE AND UNIQUE CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD OF MISSISSIPPI LT.COL. SAMUEL M. MEEK. This is a fabulous sword exhibiting a branched hilt with large oval medallion with “CS” seen on a few Leech & Rigdon cavalry officer’s sabers. This particular sword utilizes this hilt. A 31-1/2″ staff officer’s blade in a brass mounted leather scabbard. This sword is well provenanced to Lt.Col. Meek who was from Columbus, Mississippi where this sword was made. Sword was photographed in 1938 in the Meek home in Columbus and included in volume 44, Part 1, of “Source Material for Mississippi History”. As can be seen in photos, sword is wonderfully etched with a large “CS” and “LEECH & RIGDON, COLUMBUS, MISS”. Sword is in wonderful overall condition and appears identical to when it was photographed in 1938 as part of a WPA historical society. There is a very large file and archive on Meek’s history and provenance on this sword. Lt.Col. Meeks has a long and colorful Southern history, as did his fore-bearers. Meek was a politician prior to and after the war. He was a friend and business partner with Nathan Bedford Forrest. Meek entered the war in Nov 1861, first with the 5th Regiment Mississippi Volunteer troops, which was designated Company C, 1st Regiment Mississippi Regiment. On Dec 20, 1861 the unit moved by rail to Corinth, Miss. Meek stated in his diary that he has traveled 134 miles and noted that his sword and gun were the gifts of a friend, J.T. Harrison (a prominent attorney and citizen of Columbus, Miss. who was elected as delegate to the Confederate Constitution Convention and who later served in the Confederate Congress and was a personal friend of Jefferson Davis. He was later elected to the U.S. Congress after the war.) Meek was elected to the rank of Lt.Col. of 1st Regiment on December 8, 1861, but was released from service within three months, seeing very little action. On April 12, 1862, five days after the battle of Shiloh, Meek reentered the military service as Lt. of Company H 35th Mississippi Infantry. Meek and the 35th Mississippi would now see service at Corinth; Tupelo, Mississippi; Holly Springs; Grenada; and Vicksburg. Meek resigned in March 1863, stating that his duties as District Attorney were more compelling. Meek was involved in court-marshal proceedings as a trial attorney in Vicksburg before heading home to Columbus. Meek again entered service as Captain of Company D 1st State Troops, Mississippi Infantry and within a week was appointed Lt.Col. by order of Governor Clark. Meek saw the balance of the war in various administration functions and garrison duties. Meek died December 21, 1901 and is buried in Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi. His wife died four days later on Christmas Day and his daughter died December 29th, all dying of Typhoid Fever. PROVENANCE: Lt.Col. Samuel Mills Meek; other family descendants of Meek; James C. Harris; private Southern collection. CONDITION: Blade is gray overall with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Etched panels are complete and discernible. Brass hilt and pommel exhibit rich dark patina with heavy mottled gold which almost appears as being painted on. Leather grip is 90% intact with areas of flaking and chipping at high areas. Orig twisted brass wire is all intact and tight. Scabbard is sound and solid and supple. Mounts exhibit yellow/mustard patina with scattered small dents, scrapes and scratches. Blade is missing from drag. Top mounts are both loose due to shrinkage of leather. Brass sword connecting rings are both bent tight, as can be seen in photos. 4-46531 JS22 (90,000-120,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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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