E. J. Johnston Confederate Foot Officer's Presentation Sword, Macon, Georgia. A superb E. J. Johnston, Macon, Georgia, Confe...

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E. J. Johnston Confederate Foot Officer's Presentation Sword, Macon, Georgia. A superb E. J. Johnston, Macon, Georgia, Confederate foot officer's presentation sword with a beautifully etched blade presented to L. M. Felton, a 1st Lieutenant and later a major in the 12th (Robinson's) Georgia Cavalry (State Guards). Felton enrolled August 1, 1863 and mustered out in February 1864 and was from Macon County, Georgia. Felton was a slave owner with the 1860 slave schedules showing him owning 23 slaves. Ranging in age from 1 to 60, the slaves lived with Felton on a plantation near Macon. The Felton family was very prominent in Macon County near Marshallsville. An historic Felton family home listed on the National Register of Historic Places is on McCaskill Street.

E. J. Johnston's foundry turned out 40 infantry swords, 40 naval and artillery cutlasses and 40 cavalry sabers a week. This sword is undoubtedly one of the finest Confederate presentation swords to have survived and is in totally untouched condition, with its original scabbard and high relief blade etching in uncleaned condition. Confederate presentation swords by any maker are extremely rare, but this one is extremely nice with impeccable provenance.

Provenance: Tharpe Collection

Authentication: Steve Hess