Republican Blues, Savannah, GA Militia Officer - Preview

A rare sword from a Pre-War Savannah Georgia Militia Unit - The Republican Blues

Manufactured: Springfield, Mass.  Maker: N.P. Ames Cutler  Year: Pre-War  Model: Non-Regulation 
Size: 31 inch, double edged blade. 1 inch wide  Condition:  

This is a secondary Confederate sword being from a Savannah, Georgia militia unit called The Republican Blues. The Republican Blues will saw action at coastal forts near Savannah and engage in those forts battles with Union ironclads. During the Atlanta campaign, the Republican Blues are sent to north Georgia where there are devastating losses to the unit in trench warfare. The sword has a German silver guard and pommel. Pommel is smooth of the bird head variety. The guard is interestingly shaped with angles and a curve in the knuckle bow. the grip is shark skin covered with double strands of twisted brass wire.  The back strap has a checked design and the entire hilt is chased with a single line along the edges. The blade is double edged with a central fuller. The etching has oak leaves,REPUBLICAN BLUES, a stand of arms and floral. The reverse has the N. P. Ames / Cutler / Springfield in an oval. Acorns & Oak leaves, a stand of armor and floral. The scabbard is iron with carry rings and a frog stud.

Figure 01.01.56.1: Overview of straight bladed non regulation sword made for the Republican Blues of GA

Figure 01.01.56.2: Nickel silver guard, Shark skin grip, unique guard style

Figure 01.01.56.3: Single, center fuller on double edged blade

Figure 01.01.56.4: Republican Blues

Figure 01.01.56.5: N. P. Ames / Cutler / Springfield

Figure 01.01.56.6: High dome pommel

Figure 01.01.56.7: Single top ring mount and frog stud

Figure 01.01.56.8: center mount with carry ring removed indicating it was likely carried on a shoulder belt or waist belt frog.

Figure 01.01.56.9: Drag tip

Figure 01.01.56.10:  Additional blade etching photo of American Eagle with stars and EPU ribbon