Posted 12 years ago
poptop76
(28 items)
This is an 1862 D.J. Millard Sword which was issued to the U.S. Army during the War Between the States. I read somewhere D.J. Millard was the smallest private contractor to issue arms to the goverment with only about 10,000 being made. I dont know how true this is or to what States or units these were issued to. I would love to hear more about this item if anyone has any information.
Below the sword is Don Troiani's "Bonnie Blue Flag" signed and numbered print depicting North Carolina Troops at Spotsylvania,Va in 1864.
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Hi poptop, I verified your information on Millard.
"American Swords and Sword Makers" by Richard H. Bedzer has a list of "U.S. Fabricators of the M1860 Cavalry Saber (with government contracts)" It shows that Millard made 10,031 swords under contact to the government in 1861. That makes him the smallest manufacturer on the list, with the Providence Tool Company being second smallest at 10,434.
I assume government inspectors were still stamping the swords 1862, so the date discrepancy does not surprise me. I should add that this only applies to the Model 1860 sword, only to US manufacturers, and and only to companies that had a US govenrment contract. other model swords were made in less quantities, there were manufacturers not under contract, and many swords were imported.
I should add that there were
Thanks Chrisnp ! I was curious if there is anyway to know what units were issued these. The gentleman I got it from got it from an elderly lady in the 1940's in Michigan and was curious if Custers unit might have been issued these. my Confederate ancestor fought in a cavalry battle against his Wolverines.
I have never read documentation of specific manufacture issues to certain units when it comes to CAV sabers.
Some serial numbered firearms can be tracked as well as weapon type-- Enfields, Sharps, Henry, etc...
There is probably evidence of a certain maker being issued to individual troops-- for example a letter or diary entry where a soldier states his sword is marked by "AMES", but I don't know that you could draw the conclusion that it was an exclusive maker issue to his unit.
While you can be sure Michigan Cavalry soldiers were issued M1860s, narrowing to a specific maker is another story.
scott
Thanks for the info Scott ! I guess somethings maybe lost to history.