Operating out of New Orleans, Thomas, Griswold & Company manufactured and imported military material for the Confederacy from August 1861, when the firm of Hyde & Goodrich was reorganized to make Henry Thomas Jr. and A.B. Griswold the senior partners, to April of 1862, when the Union Occupation of New Orleans went into effect. Holding a reputation for quality rivaling their northern competition, the firm produced the full spectrum of blades from the straight-forward fighting-man's naval cutlass to the finest presentation work. This item is patterned after the U.S. 1850 Staff & Field sword, 34 3/4 inches overall with a 29 inch single fuller blade marked "THOMAS. GRISWOLD & C/NEW ORLEANS." on the left ricasso. The brass guard has a punched-through floral and wreath motif, properly absent the "US" found on Union/pre-war swords, a laurel around the base of the pommel, and wire wrapped brown leather grip. A similar example can be seen in figure 64 (page 97) of "Confederate Edged Weapons" by Albaugh.

Good, missing scabbard. The blade shows a mixed brown and gray patina with scattered spotting and some light nicks along the edge. The hilt is good with an aged patina overall, a few dings on the left side of the counter guard and strong traces of original gilt finish. The grip is fair with some absent wire and scuffs.