College Hill Confederate Foot Officer's Presentation Sword to Lieut. Marshall Smith. 28-inch slightly curved ...
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Consign your material to be auctioned alongside these items on Monday, December 8, 2025 in Dallas, TX. Consignment Deadline for this auction is Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
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Description
College Hill Confederate Foot Officer's Presentation Sword to Lieut. Marshall Smith.28-inch slightly curved blade, with 24-inch fuller. He was a classmate of Sam Davis and was later captured with him in 1863. Lieut. Marshall Smith entered the war as an Instructor of Infantry Tactics, training Confederate recruits before the Battle of Shiloh for Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, who was killed during that battle. He was later Adjutant of the Third Confederate Infantry (Kentucky & Tennessee troops). This sword is one of the finest known Confederate presentation swords made in Nashville. Also, it is signed on the blade by the engraver "L.T. Cunningham" as well as having Lt. Marshall Smith's name beautifully etched in large 1" letters on the blade and a Confederate 11 Star First National Flag and "C.S.A." etched on the other side. Marshall Smith and Sam Davis were pre-war classmates at the Military College of the University of Nashville. Lieutenant Smith was serving in Coleman's Scouts (Confederate Spies) operating behind enemy lines when he was captured along with Sam Davis who was later publicly executed in downtown Nashville. Is interesting that both were captured operating behind enemy lines. Marshall Smith was captured October 9, 1863 near Shelbyville, Tennessee and became a prisoner-of-war at Camp Morton, Indiana for the duration of the war. With original leather grips, wire wraps, and an iron scabbard with brass mounts that came with the sword when it was acquired from the Marshall Smith family. Confederate presentation swords are among the rarest items of the Civil War. Very few were made and even the most advanced collections rarely have one actually signed by the engraver. Provenance: Larry Hicklin. Authentication: Steve Hess.
Condition: Good. Overall showing honest age and handling wear. Some chipping along blade edge. Scattered pitting and wear present to scabbard, along with a few noticeable dents.
Auction Info
2025 December 8 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6325 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
November
13th
Thursday
Auction Dates
December
8th
Monday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
48 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 84
Auction Type
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Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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