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CONFEDERATE JAMES CONNING STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
CONFEDERATE JAMES CONNING STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S

SWORD. Overall length: 37 1/2". Blade length: 30 1/2". James Conning was born in the year 1815 in New York. Around 1840, he moved to Mobile, Alabama & went into business as a jeweler. He first appeared in the city of Mobile directory in 1842 listed as a silversmith & jeweler. Conning’s coin silver became well known throughout Alabama & beyond. As his business prospered, he began selling a wide array of military equipage & supplies. During the Civil War, he produced many edged weapons for the state of Alabama, as well as finer grade weapons for various Confederate officers. In the beginning, many of his blades were imported from Europe but as his supply dwindled, he sought a local supplier & found the Parker Foundry. Initially, European blades were mounted in Conning’s machine shop but after the beginning of the war, his blades were primarily supplied by the Parker Foundry. This example has a plain blade with a single unstopped fuller. Gilded brass hilt with “CS” & foliate motif decorating both sides of the guard. Heavy, drop down quillon with solid lineally decorated knuckle bow. Pommel has acanthus leaves on the front & a star design on the top around the peen. Brass wire wrapped leather grip. Replacement modern scabbard of excellent look & craftsmanship. CONDITION: blade has an overall dark patina with only a scattered few tiny nicks in the edge of the blade. Hilt is in fine condition with traces of original gilding evident. Grip leather is worn through on most of the ridges but remains substantially intact. Wire wrap is original & complete. Scabbard mounts have a darkened matching patina & there are some light seam openings. (02-16593/BF). $6,000-8,000.