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     In 1861, Edwin Boyle, Thomas Gamble and Edward MacFee of Richmond, Virginia, formed a partnership for the purpose of manufacturing edged weapons for sale to the Confederate States Government.  The company manufactured Cavalry swords, Foot Officer’s swords, Artillery swords, Bowie knives, bayonet adapters and Sabre Bayonets.

     The foot officer’s sword shown here is a very nice early example of the company’s work.  The period in which it was made can be determined by the extremely delicate scabbard ring mounts; later models had more substantial mounts.  Few of this model’s scabbards survive due to their fragility and early manufacture.  Though in extremely good condition, this example saw lots of service as shown by the wear on the upper ring mount which is severely worn.  The scabbard’s drag is an original replacement, but looks so good that were I not to disclose the fact, it would be impossible to tell that it was not the original.  The mounts have been re-soldered at the seam, this too, done in the proper manner.  The only flaw to the scabbard is the missing top flat of the throat.  The scabbard’s leather is in beautiful condition and solid enough to stand perpendicular on its own.

     The sword is in excellent original condition throughout.  The blade is smooth from ricasso to point and remains semi-bright.  The edge is perfect with the exception of one very, very small nick.  The guard remains tight and the leather grip wrap and single brass wire wrap are virtually perfect in all regards.

     This is an extraordinarily fine example of a rare Confederate foot officer’s sword.  This would have been the proper sword to have been carried by officer’s ranking Captain and below.