LOT #25499 |
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College Hill Confederate Foot Officer's Presentation Sword to Lieut. Marshall Smith, who was a classmate of Sam Davis and wa...
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Description
College Hill Confederate Foot Officer's Presentation Sword to Lieut. Marshall Smith, who 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. The sword is in near perfect condition, and the blade is mint and frosty. 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
Auction Info
2006 December Signature Civil War Auction #642 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2006
1st-2nd
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,434
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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