3055 RARE & FINE W. J. MCELROY, MACON GEORGIA FOOT

SOLD
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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 05 @ 12:00UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 4,000.00 USD
Estimated at 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
OFFICER'S SWORD, UNIQUE USE OF DUFILHO, NEW ORLEANS SIGNED BLADE. This entire sword was assembled and etched by W J McElroy, classic gold plated McElroy 1850 pattern hilt & pommel with chaste design undecorated pommel & quillon unique to this CS pattern. Grip is classic McElroy with painted canvas covered spiral cut wood & single brass wire wrap. Unique to this sword is McElroy's mounting of "DUFILHO / N. ORLEANS" signed blade. Dufilho was antebellum New Orleans cutler prior to Civil War, making medical instruments & Bowie knives. At onset of war Dufilho made many high grade Confederate swords and were most famous for their unique fancy Louisiana state seal raised relief decorated hilts with large "C" & "S" on either side. Dufilho was only in business till the fall of New Orleans April 29, 1862, so their production was very limited. Macon Georgia made Confederate blades have stopped fullers. How did McElroy come upon this blade to mount & etch. McElroy was known to have etched and mounted at least a few imported cavalry sabers, blades and scabbards, this was part of their business. We will never know why McElroy etched and mounted this blade, we don't know if an officer with a Dufilho foot sword like one later in this sale had battle damaged damage hilt and wanted a beautiful decorative Confederate patriotic etch. Regardless, this unique sword is in beautiful "as found" condition. CONDITION: very good overall, complete grip and wire wrap, traces of gold plate in protected areas, never unhilted, slightly loose, fine etched blade, several small nicks in cutting edge.(02-20973/JS). $8,000-12,000.