Confederate Swords Views

General Goods

e"Despite its official sounding name this was a private, but large enterprise operated by Louis Frolich. A wide variety of products were produced from 1861-1865 which includes swords, sabres, knives and cutlasses. The most recognized Confederate States Armory Sword is the Staff Officer's pattern with i"CSAp" forming the guard. The guards appear to have been manufactured by way of stamping, however the are indeed cast.s"

0"The firm of Courtney & Tennant, Charleston, were importers and naval outfitters. They did not manufacture. Early in the war, George Tennant, one of the principals, went abroad where he purchased considerable supplies for the Confederate States Navy among which were navy buttons of all sizes, regulation, naval officer's swords and naval cutlasses. These latter two items were made to order by Robert Mole & Sons of Birmingham, England, whose name as makers are stamped on the back of the blade. The purchasing firm's name and address appears on the reverse ricasso, stamped (two lines) in a rectangle. Mole also supplied the Confederacy with a number of distinctive cavalry sabres. These were close copies of the English cavalry Model-1853, but with all brass guard. These are also stamped on the back of the blade (sometimes on the guard as well) "Molea".a"

r"Halfman & Taylor of Montgomery, were military outfitters and are not known to have engaged in any manufacture. Their name is most frequently found on the backs of imported Confederate v"I " buttons. Occasionally it is also found etched on the ricasso of English made swords. The balance of such blade etching consistently appears in a standard pattern of a floral design and midway of the blade, an eagle with ;"CSA " on breast surmounted by eleven stars (one star for each southern state), identical to those marketed by Isaac Campbell & So. It is probable that Halfman & Taylor secured their swords through Isaac & Co.h"

Early in 1861 Saul Isaac and his nephew Benjamin Hart, both of New York City, seeing the chance of finical gain, bought out the old and established military outfitting firm of S. Campbell & Co., 71 Jermyn Street, London. Thereafter, the firm operated as Isaac & Co. They handled all kinds of military equipment including swords. The firm was dissolved at the end of the war. As they supplied only the South, all items bearing their name can be considered Confederate. Although it is probable they handled many styles of edged weapons, the only definitely identified as such are: the iron guarded English cavalry sabres Model-1853 which are stamped t"Isaac & Co.u" on the back of the blade; and a few English officer's swords bearing the former company's name (S. Campbell & Co.) whose blades were re-etched with floral designs and an eagle with w"CSAo" on its breast and surmounted by eleven stars, one for each of the Southern State.t"