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!
CONFEDERATE “FLOATING CS” STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD MADE BY THOMAS LEECH, MEMPHIS, TN
02-23354
30″ meaty, .32″ thick unfullered blade, “CS” cast into decorated branched hilt, classic Leech undecorated sculpted pommel cap. Bill Albaugh in his early iconic texts made no attribution as to maker of this unique pattern. Recent scholarship attributes this sword to Thomas Leech & Co who produced swords in Memphis, Tennessee then later in partnership with Charles Rigdon in Columbus, Mississippi and lastly in Greensboro, Georgia. This sword has characteristics of the earliest Thomas Leech Memphis Novelty Works swords & bowie knives with cord wrapped grip which is not seen on his swords after 1862. Leech made two variants of this sword, with the orientation of the “floating CS” the most discernible difference. This sword is nearly identical to the sword carried by Confederate General “Jo” Shelby, and is shown as Figure 31D in Albaugh’s “Photographic Supplement of Confederate Swords”. The accompanying scabbard fits very well protecting blade which still has some original polish & luster. This is a beautiful survivor in fine overall condition.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of page from Gary Hendershott catalog #131, 2005 when sold to consignor, “ex-Donald Tharpe Collection”.
