Spring 2025 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
May 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2025
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
FINE CLASSIC CONFEDERATE “CORN PONE” CAVALRY SABER CARRIED BY MARYLAND CONFEDERATE OFFICER
02-23370
This exact saber is pictured and documented on pages 331-333 in Dan Hartzler’s “Confederate Presentation & Inscribed Swords & Revolvers” as well as page 185 in Dan Hartzler’s book “Band of Brothers”. It was long part of his amazing collection of Maryland arms.
William Albaugh when describing this sword in his early text stated even though he did not know who made it: “it is as Confederate as corn pone & molasses”. Later scholarship hypothesizing as this sword was most likely made early at the Confederate States Armory, owned by Louis Froelich, Wilmington, North Carolina. It is an unique massive Confederate saber, 33.5″ unstopped fuller blade, unique smooth mushroom shaped pommel, large 3-branch flat slotted guard terminating into large flat quillon. Original lap-seam braised scabbard has brass rings & drag, and soldered throat collar. This is among the finest survivors known and one of the very few identified.
Dan Hartzler identifies saber as belonging to Capt. Warner Griffith Welsh (1834-1895) a Marylander who originally served as lieutenant in the Liberty Home Guard from Libertytown Maryland, Co. G, 7th VA Cavalry which was made-up of Marylanders He later served as captain in Co. F 12th Virginia cavalry which would become the 1st Maryland cavalry, Co. D. On the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Welsh was involved in the capture of the flag of the 149th New York. At Hagerstown during the retreat, Capt. Welsh would be wounded though continued in command. He had a distinguished service record, having 2 horses shot from under him, being captured and escaping. His 107-page National Archives record accompanies this saber. The first Maryland was disbanded in April 1865, Welch and his two brothers along with other officers joined General Joe Johnston’s army in Salisbury, NC, finally surrendering May 1, 1865.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copies of pages where described & pictured in Hartzler 1988 text, and National Archive service records. Photo of identical example in Smithsonian.
STATUS: NON GUN
