Rare - Original Civil War Confederate Artillery Short Sword (SOLD)

This is another great piece being offered, it is a Confederate Artillery Short Sword. This heavy edged weapon is a rugged specimen of a Southern-produced copy of a Model 1832-Foot Artilleryman's short sword. They are similar to those "Roman-style" swords manufactured by the N. P. Ames Company of Springfield, Massachusetts.

The sword is completely unmarked, which is typical of being southern manufactured. However, the soldier carved initials on both sides of the brass guard “O.P.M.I.” or “O.P.M”, I’m not sure if this is his initials or somehow associated with his unit. Worn mostly by artillery battery NCOs as a badge of rank, this artilleryman's sword features a hefty, double-edged steel blade measures 18 ¼” long x 1¾" wide at the hilt (see period photo of CS soldier with a short sword).

Both flats of the blade have no fuller at all but some faint file marks. Blade is very smooth with only some very slight pitting. The heavy brass hilt is tight and solid and has a crudely cast brass 'fish scale' handle.

Confederate short artillery swords are becoming difficult to find in the collecting field today, especially in nice condition, and this specimen would make a fine addition to any military collection, edged weapons display, or Confederate collection.