Reference Items
Edged Weapons
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Thomas Leech & Co. Clip-Point Bowie Knife
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Thomas Leech & Co., also known as the
Memphis Novelty Works of Memphis, TN is best known for its cavalry sabers, but
they also made some magnificent clip point bowie knives under the direct
supervision of Charles Rigdon. When Memphis fell to the Union early in the war,
Rigdon relocated to Columbus, Mississippi in March, 1862 and changed the firm’s
name to Leech & Rigdon. They became
best known for their Colt Navy style revolvers.
This wonderful clip-point bowie knife
measures 17½” overall with a blade length of 12½”. The blade width at the ricasso is 1-9/16” and
reaches a maximum width of 1-11/16” near the clip-point. The knife utilizes a sword-like hilt with an
S-shaped guard in front of a leather and double wire-wrapped
grip capped with a sword pommel, which, while made from the same molds as for
swords, were specifically cast for knives.
The above photographs are courtesy of
Bill Beard. In the grouping, each of the
edged weapons shown is manufactured by Leech.
At top is a cavalry saber followed by a dug side knife, two more side
knives and at the bottom, the clip-point bowie knife described here.
We highly recommend "Confederate Bowie
Knives” by Jack Melton, Josh Phillips and John Sexton for further research.
Member - John Beckendorf
Item #: CIV-309
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Presentation Sword - Captain Noah H. Ferry, 5th Michigan Cavalry
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This magnificent high grade presentation
sword is inscribed on the scabbard between the throat and upper mount "Presented to Capt. Noah H. Ferry Co. F 5th
Regt. Michigan Cavalry” and between the upper and lower mounts "as a token of esteem and respect for
answering the call to arms in defence of the Union to put down a causeless and
wicked rebellion honoring our great state with your display of a love for
freedom and patriotism from your steadfast family and friends in Grand Haven
--- 1862”.
The 35” blade is marked "Collins & Co. … Hartford, Conn. … 1862”. The sword was assembled and retailed by
Tomes, Son & Melvain of New York.
The engraving, hilt, mounts and jewelry work were done by Wm C. Stout,
566 Broadway (NY) whose markings appear on the flat of the ricasso. The grip is silver and the hilt retains most
of its gold wash. The pommel cap has a
large amethyst set in it. Captain Ferry was soon promoted to Major
of the 5th Michigan Cavalry.
Following his relief of then Colonel Freeman Norvell, Ferry was offered
the colonelcy of the regiment but turned it down citing his youth and
inexperience.
Major Ferry was killed on 3 July 1863 on
the East Cavalry Field of Gettysburg.
The 5th Michigan had used their Spencer rifles to great
advantage halting a charge of Chambliss’s Brigade, but they had depleted their
ammunition. The Confederates renewed
their attack and before General Custer could charge with the 1st and
7th regiments, the red haired Major was shot through the head while
rallying his battalion.
Colonel Russell A. Alger recollected
in a letter to a friend in 1880. "Major Ferry, who was cheering his
battalion to hold its ground, was instantly killed. His death cast a deep gloom
upon the whole Brigade. He was a gallant soldier, an exemplary man and his loss
was a great blow." General Custer's
official report noted the loss of "...the brave and chivalric Major N. H.
Ferry."
Because of their hurried pursuit of
the Confederate cavalry after the Battle of Gettysburg, Noah Ferry's comrades
had only time to bury him beneath a tree at the field headquarters. Two weeks
later his father and younger brother had the body disinterred and accompanied
it home.
One of the tragedies of War is that
is does not distinguish between the common man and the best and brightest of
us. Major Noah H. Ferry was of the
latter. One wonders what he would have
made of the rest of his life had he survived Gettysburg.
Member - John Beckendorf
Item #: CIV-308
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Thomas, Griswold & Co. Cavalry Officer's Saber
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On Aug 24, 1861 Henry
Thomas and Arthur Breese Griswold along with a couple of associates opened a military
outfitting firm at the corner of Canal and Royal Streets in New Orleans. The business, known as Thomas, Griswold &
Co., remained in operation only eight months before closing on April 24, 1862, a
few weeks prior to the occupation of New Orleans by Federal forces. During their brief period of operations, they
manufactured swords and other militaria for Southern buyers in both the governmental
and private sectors.
Swords made by Thomas,
Griswold & Co. have unique characteristics on their guards, blades and scabbards
that make them readily identifiable. This
example is a Confederate officer’s cavalry saber in excellent attic condition,
its 35" blade exhibiting an untouched patina. The blade has a semi-stopped fuller indicative
of Griswold’s products which terminates ⅞” from the original leather
washer. The blade remains tight against
the grip and has never been removed. At
the ricasso is marked in a bold arc "THOMAS,
GRISWOLD & Co” over straight "NEW ORLEANS” with the superscript "o”
in Co being a weak strike.
This complete marking is the most desirable of the three styles of
identification markings found on Griswold’s blades. Some of their swords are stamped only with the
company’s initials while others are entirely unmarked. Experts speculate that the unmarked swords
were those sold to other retailers such as Hayden & Whilden of Charleston,
South Carolina who would, in turn, occasionally place their own markings on the
blades. The swords marked only with the
T. G. & Co initials are thought to be those made for sale to the
Confederate government. And the swords
marked with the firm’s full name were likely intended for retail purchase by
the public. Such a purchase would have been
expected for an officer’s grade cavalry saber as seen here.
One of the more
unique features common to Griswold swords is their brass scabbards. Accompanying this saber is its solid brass scabbard
which bears Griswold’s typical crude lap seam on the bottom side. The rings, mounts and drag are also brass
with patina which matches the scabbard and guard. The drag is the characteristic Griswold version
seen on all their edged weapons. The
scabbard has no dents or notable blemishes.
The grip retains its original
leather, being nearly 100% intact with its original twisted brass wire wrap. The guard and pommel cap are the usual Griswold
style manufacture. The officers grade guard, quillon and knucklebow have cast
floral patterns and the pommel is also decorated. The knucklebow
branch has a noticeable brazed splice characteristic of Griswold’s two piece
construction and the pommel cap has a seam at its top, also a trait of
Griswold swords.
Member - Mike Sorenson
Item #: CIV-298
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Bowie Knife - Sergeant William T. Downey
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This scrimshaw bone handle bowie knife of Sgt. William T. Downey, Company B of the 86th New York Volunteer Infantry (known as the "Steuben Rangers” and "The Fighting Regiment of the Southern Tier”) was carried by him at the Battle of Gettysburg, when on 2 July 1863 the 86th was part of Sickles salient and fought in Rose’s Woods between the Wheatfield and Devils Den. The 86th NYV is one of Fox’s fighting 300 regiments losing one-third of its numbers at Gettysburg.
The knife is 13 inches overall with an 8 inch blade and brass guard. The hand carved bone handle features several detailed scrimshaw carvings including whaling ships at sea, nautical stars and what appears to be an Indian woman with feathers in her hair, stylized in the image of the Seminole chief Osceola. Carved into the handle is "Sergt W.T.D. Co. B 86 NYV”. The "Sergt” was added after Downey was promoted to Sergeant on 1 July 1863 (he had been acting in this capacity from 20 May 1863). The pommel area of the knife bears a lead inlay with the initial "W.T.D.” inscribed. The original leather scabbard is in very sound condition with tarred facing and natural leather verso.
Member - John Beckendorf
Item #: CIV-241
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Brig. Genl. Cornelius G. Attwood, 25th Mass Inf.
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Brigadier General Cornelius G. Attwood, 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, "Heckman’s Star Brigade”.
Cornelius G. Attwood was born in Bangor, Maine, in 1836. In his youth he joined a local militia unit where he began his long and illustrious military career.
In October, 1861, he was appointed captain of Co. C, 25th Mass. Vol. Inf. The regiment, merged into the 18th Corps, fought in the famed "Heckman’s Star Brigade,” becoming one of the Union army’s top fighting units in terms of casualties and fighting prowess.
Capt. Attwood was promoted to Major, October 29, 1862. The first battles were fought during Burnside’s Expedition into Virginia and North Carolina where he carried the first American flag ashore in the assault on Roanoke Island.
During General Attwood’s career he acquired two swords. The first, a foot officer’s sword is inscribed "Lieut. C.G. Attwood.” The second, a staff and field officer’s sword is inscribed on the top mount "Capt. C.G. Attwood, Boston,” and is elaborately inscribed down the steel scabbard with all of the general’s promotions and battles at which he participated. In addition the Attwood collection, obtained from a Maine descendant, contains his gold bullion general’s epaulets encased in an identified carrying tin, several CDV’s, a signed regimental history, a war-dated oil painting of the then Major Attwood painted by well-known artist Alexander Ransom, and a large escutcheon in handwritten calligraphy with photo, promotions, battles and references to the GAR and Mollus.
By war’s end the 25th Mass fought in more than twenty-five battles and skirmishes. Besides Roanoke Island they fought at New Berne, N.C., Goldsboro, Drewry’s Bluff, Cold Harbor, where Major Attwood was wounded, and Petersburg. Out of the three-hundred men the 25th Mass mustered for General Grant’s futile onslaught at Cold Harbor, the regiment sustained 24 killed, including 6 officers, 142 wounded, and 49 missing. In total, 8,000 men were killed in twenty minutes.
Withdrawn from the Petersburg trenches, the gallant 25th was mustered out October 20, 1864. Major Attwood was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel and soon thereafter, Brigadier General for "Gallant and meritorious service during the war.” Following the hostilities he was appointed Deputy Collector of the Port of Boston and later Secretary of the Board of Trade. In 1876 General Attwood was appointed Inspector General of Massachusetts where he was principally in charge of the State Militia. He held multiple GAR offices including Post Commander, National Quartermaster, and National Adjutant-General. He died January19, 1888 in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Member - Mike Shotwell
Item #: CIV-236
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Inscribed Sword - Nicholas Grumbach, 149th NY
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The "Syracuse Daily Courier and Union” of September 22, 1862 recorded that "On Saturday evening Capt. Nicholas Grumbach was made the recipient of a sword, sash and belt, a present from his fellow members of the Board of Supervisors. The presentation took place at the Mayor’s room in the City Hall, and was attended by the members of the Board residing in the city, a number of Capt. Grumbach’s company and several citizens.”
Captain Grumbach was the Supervisor of the Second Ward, Onandaga County, New York, a member of the city’s war committee, and captain of the Monroe Cadets. He was instrumental in raising Company B of the 149th New York Volunteers and was elected their captain.
This sword was carried by Captain Grumbach throughout the war. He was subsequently promoted to Lt. Colonel and commanded the regiment for the last year of the war. The 149th NYV took part in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie. Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, Resaca, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Pine Knob, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek (where Major Grumbach was wounded) and the siege of Savannah; and they were present at the battles of Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Averasboro, Bentonville and The Carolinas. The 149th NYV lost 133 dead and 353 wounded, placing them among Fox’s 300 Fighting Regiments.
For additional details of this magnificent battle sword, see "The 149th New York at Culp’s Hill – Gettysburg” by WCCWC member Mike Shotwell, found in the Articles Section of this web site.
Member - John Beckendorf
Item #: CIV-214
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