HISTORIC CONFEDERATE USED CAVALRY SABER.

HISTORIC CONFEDERATE USED CAVALRY SABER. Unmarked 1842 pattern saber with 35-1/2” slightly curved blade, small & large fullers, leather and twisted wire wrapped handle, 3-branch hand guard with original iron scabbard. Accompanied by an original leather sword knot. Also accompanies are several pages of provenance including that for CSA Brig. Gen. Beverly Holcombe Robertson and another for 1st Lt. George Eaton Priest.

Robertson was an 1849 graduate of West Point and served on the western frontier participating in several battles. He became a Captain in 1861 when he resigned and accepted a Colonel’s commission in the Confederate Army. He was the Commander of the 4th Regiment Virginia Cavalry. He fought throughout the war in several major battles including Gettysburg and several other lesser battles. He fought a rear guard action against Sherman’s troops in his march to the sea.

The sword is accompanied by a card of the “COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. / MILITARY ORDER OF THE LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES” (MOLLUS) which has typewritten information on the front “REBEL SWORD”, and on the back – “Sword of General Holcombe Robertson C.S.A.” and a number. The front is inscribed in old ink “George Eaton Priest, / First Lieutenant, Quartermaster, / 57th Massachusetts Infantry, U.S.V. / Born 1843 / Died July 1897”. Lt. Priest served throughout the war and was discharged August 9, 1865. In 1886 the MOLLUS formed a Civil War Library & Museum to serve as a repository for their records, relics, souvenirs, etc. at 1805 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA. Apparently Lt. Priest donated this sword which accounts for the number designation on the back of the card.

CONDITION: Sword is fine with mostly bright blade and with some staining along the edge and toward the tip. Brass has traces of original gilding with the balance a dark brownish patina. Handle has slight losses to the leather with loose wire. Scabbard is mostly dark brown with traces of original nickel, no bends or dings. Sword knot is dry with crackled surface, the strap broken in the middle. 4-51413 (2,250-3,250)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004

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
	586	$4,600.00	HISTORIC CONFEDERATE USED CAVALRY SABER. Unmarked 1842 pattern saber with 35-1/2” slightly curved blade, small & large fullers, leather and twisted wire wrapped handle, 3-branch hand guard with original iron scabbard. Accompanied by an original leather sword knot. Also accompanies are several pages of provenance including that for CSA Brig. Gen. Beverly Holcombe Robertson and another for 1st Lt. George Eaton Priest. Robertson was an 1849 graduate of West Point and served on the western frontier participating in several battles. He became a Captain in 1861 when he resigned and accepted a Colonel’s commission in the Confederate Army. He was the Commander of the 4th Regiment Virginia Cavalry. He fought throughout the war in several major battles including Gettysburg and several other lesser battles. He fought a rear guard action against Sherman’s troops in his march to the sea. The sword is accompanied by a card of the “COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. / MILITARY ORDER OF THE LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES” (MOLLUS) which has typewritten information on the front “REBEL SWORD”, and on the back – “Sword of General Holcombe Robertson C.S.A.” and a number. The front is inscribed in old ink “George Eaton Priest, / First Lieutenant, Quartermaster, / 57th Massachusetts Infantry, U.S.V. / Born 1843 / Died July 1897”. Lt. Priest served throughout the war and was discharged August 9, 1865. In 1886 the MOLLUS formed a Civil War Library & Museum to serve as a repository for their records, relics, souvenirs, etc. at 1805 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA. Apparently Lt. Priest donated this sword which accounts for the number designation on the back of the card. CONDITION: Sword is fine with mostly bright blade and with some staining along the edge and toward the tip. Brass has traces of original gilding with the balance a dark brownish patina. Handle has slight losses to the leather with loose wire. Scabbard is mostly dark brown with traces of original nickel, no bends or dings. Sword knot is dry with crackled surface, the strap broken in the middle. 4-51413 (2,250-3,250) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004 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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