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Extremely Rare British Made (Firmin & Sons) Confederate States of America Dolphin Head Naval Officer
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Description
Extremely Rare British Made (Firmin & Sons) Confederate States of America Dolphin Head Naval Officers Dress Sword, the sword with deep brass dish guard with relief of the confederate naval insignia of anchor over crossed cannons in oval cartouche, cotton plants and tobacco leaves relief through the knuckle bow leading to the sea serpent / dolphin head pommel and back strap designed to look like scales. Fish skin covered grip with the original wire binding. The slightly curved steel blade is finely etched with foliage and the 2nd pattern confederate flag with anchor behind. Other side of the blade has etched foliage, cotton plants and tobacco leaves, centre with the insignia of the confederate navy. Blade forte with makers details, “FIRMIN & SONS 153 STRAND & 13 Conduct St LONDON”. The blade 76 ½ cms in length. Some surface staining. Evidence of polishing to the hilt but generally good example. No scabbard. Provenance: This sword was originally purchased in a market in Preston (Lancashire, North West, England) in 1938 and was kept by a collector since then until October 1990 when the sword was sold / traded with another collector, the late Jerry Withers, who in turn had kept the sword until his passing in December 2020. The sword, along with other items from Withers collection has been consigned to C&T Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd. Paperwork relating to the transaction for the sword is included with the lot. The Confederate "Dolphin Head" Naval Officer's Sword was based upon the English Pattern 1827 Lion's Head Naval Officer's Sword, and retained the solid guard with folding counter guard of the English sword pattern, but introduced new decorative motifs including the sea serpent pommel cap with scaled backstrap, as well as the Confederate naval blade and guard designs. The design of the sword has been attributed to George T. Sinclair of the Confederate Navy. The swords are encountered with two different retailer markings. The first were made by Robert Mole of Birmingham and bear the marks of Courtney & Tennent of Charleston, SC. The other variation is the Firmin retailer marked sword, whose maker (or makers) are not currently known. Both versions of the swords from the two retailers exhibit two variations in the blade etching, with the primary difference being in the presentation of the Confederate national flag. The two known Courtney & Tennent variations use the Confederate 1st National Flag with three wide horizontal stripes and a square canton. One version depicts 11 stars in a circle within the canton, the other version leaves the canton blank. The two previously known variations of the Firmin blade etching depict a 1st National Flag as well, but with a 13-star St. Andrews cross in the canton, with the difference in the etching being that one variation is frosted, while the other one is deeply etched without frosting. The 2nd National Flag was not adopted until May 1 of 1863, and it is generally believed that the production of the Dolphin Head swords did not commence until the end of 1862 or very early in 1863. At that time, the 1st National Flag was still in use. The appearance of a 2nd National Flag on this blade suggests that this sword was a later production item, likely not produced until the very end of 1863 or even during 1864. The Dolphin Head is one of the rarest American swords you could hope to find, with many serious advance collections not having an example.
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Extremely Rare British Made (Firmin & Sons) Confederate States of America Dolphin Head Naval Officers Dress Sword, the sword with deep brass dish guard with relief of the confederate naval insignia of anchor over crossed cannons in oval cartouche, cotton plants and tobacco leaves relief through the knuckle bow leading to the sea serpent / dolphin head pommel and back strap designed to look like scales. Fish skin covered grip with the original wire binding. The slightly curved steel blade is finely etched with foliage and the 2nd pattern confederate flag with anchor behind. Other side of the blade has etched foliage, cotton plants and tobacco leaves, centre with the insignia of the confederate navy. Blade forte with makers details, “FIRMIN & SONS 153 STRAND & 13 Conduct St LONDON”. The blade 76 ½ cms in length. Some surface staining. Evidence of polishing to the hilt but generally good example. No scabbard. Provenance: This sword was originally purchased in a market in Preston (Lancashire, North West, England) in 1938 and was kept by a collector since then until October 1990 when the sword was sold / traded with another collector, the late Jerry Withers, who in turn had kept the sword until his passing in December 2020. The sword, along with other items from Withers collection has been consigned to C&T Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd. Paperwork relating to the transaction for the sword is included with the lot. The Confederate "Dolphin Head" Naval Officer's Sword was based upon the English Pattern 1827 Lion's Head Naval Officer's Sword, and retained the solid guard with folding counter guard of the English sword pattern, but introduced new decorative motifs including the sea serpent pommel cap with scaled backstrap, as well as the Confederate naval blade and guard designs. The design of the sword has been attributed to George T. Sinclair of the Confederate Navy. The swords are encountered with two different retailer markings. The first were made by Robert Mole of Birmingham and bear the marks of Courtney & Tennent of Charleston, SC. The other variation is the Firmin retailer marked sword, whose maker (or makers) are not currently known. Both versions of the swords from the two retailers exhibit two variations in the blade etching, with the primary difference being in the presentation of the Confederate national flag. The two known Courtney & Tennent variations use the Confederate 1st National Flag with three wide horizontal stripes and a square canton. One version depicts 11 stars in a circle within the canton, the other version leaves the canton blank. The two previously known variations of the Firmin blade etching depict a 1st National Flag as well, but with a 13-star St. Andrews cross in the canton, with the difference in the etching being that one variation is frosted, while the other one is deeply etched without frosting. The 2nd National Flag was not adopted until May 1 of 1863, and it is generally believed that the production of the Dolphin Head swords did not commence until the end of 1862 or very early in 1863. At that time, the 1st National Flag was still in use. The appearance of a 2nd National Flag on this blade suggests that this sword was a later production item, likely not produced until the very end of 1863 or even during 1864. The Dolphin Head is one of the rarest American swords you could hope to find, with many serious advance collections not having an example.
Two Day Fine Arms, Armour & Militaria Auction
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 1-515
Lots: 516 - 905
Venue Address
Unit 4 High House Business Park
High House Lane
Kenardington
Kent
TN26 2LF
United Kingdom
- C&T Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd offer an in house post and packing service for most auctions unless advertised.
- Sorry We Do Not offer In House Post our Packing for our specialist Toy Soldiers and Figures Actions, we can recommend Mailboxes Tunbridge Wells or Jentel Packing.
- We are not able to offer in house post and packing on invoice totals over £3,000 or very fragile, large or heavy items. These items will also need to be shipped by specialist shippers.
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Please contact our office 01233 510050 for further information.
- PLEASE NOTE DUE TO NEW RESTRICTIONS, ALL PURCHASERS OF ANY EDGED WEAPON WILL NEED TO PROVIDE US WITH PROOF OF AGE (OVER 18) BEFORE THE ITEM CAN BE SHIPPED.
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C&T Auctioneers and Valuers are not responsible for any damage caused when items are in transit with postal or courier firms. We are also not responsible for any package sent either by ourselves or any third party company which is lost in transit.
For lots we are not able to offer in house shipping;
We can recommend the following companies for shipping, who will be happy to quote and pick up:
MailBoxes TunbridgeWells
t: 01892510155
Email:greg@mbetunbridgewells.co.uk
Jentel Packing
t: 01268 776777
Email: enquiries@jentelpacking.co.uk
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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• After the auction lot(s) can only be collected from our office, by appointment only and must be paid for in full, prior to your arrival, with social distancing consideration in place
C & T Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd
Unit 4 High House Business Park
Kenardington
Nr Ashford Kent TN26 2LF.
Tel: 01233510050
PLEASE READ OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE BIDDING THANK YOU.
Important Information
This auction is an Online Only event with no in room bidding available.
This auction takes place over two days
9th March - Lot 1 - 515
10th March - Lot 516 - 905
Viewing for this auction is by appointment only, please contact our office to arrange viewing. You will need to tell us the lot(s) you wish to view prior to your arrival at our office so we can have these ready. We are not able to offer any viewing on the day of the auction.
All lots marked with a * have been imported from outside the EU and are subject to 5% import duty on the hammer price.
All lots marked with a ^ will require a CITES license to export out of the UK. It is the buyers responsibility to organise this. Please also check before bidding that you are legally able to import the item into your country.
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Terms and Conditions
Buyers Premium: Winning bidders agree to pay the winning bid plus the buyers premium charged by the auction house, this is currently 22% + VAT (26.4% total). Buyers purchasing via an online live bidding platform the-saleroom.com will be charged an additional 4.95% + VAT on the hammer price.
If you are successful in an auction with an absentee, telephone or internet bid, you will be invoiced, normally within 48 hours of the auction taking place. This invoice will normally include a shipping quote. These invoices are sent via email and have an attachment. Once you have had this invoice we require full payment within 7 days, unless another arrangement has been made with the auction house. Items must be collected from C&T Auctioneers and Valuers within 7 days of payment being made, unless agreement is in place with C&T Auctioneers and Valuers.
Shipping
C&T Auctioneers and Valuers offer an in house postal service for this auction, unless stated. However if an item(s) are too large or need specialist shipping methods, this will be conducted by a third party firm.This also relates to lots of a certain value.
C&T Auctioneers and Valuers are not responsible for any damage caused when items are in transit with postal or courier firms. We are also not responsible for any package sent either by ourselves or any third party company which is lost in transit.
PLEASE READ OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS BELOW BEFORE BIDDING THANK YOU
Terms & Conditions
When participating in an auction conducted by C&T Auctioneers and Valuers you are bound by these conditions without exception. All public auctions held by C&T Auctioneers and Valuers are exempt from the Sale of Goods Act. Please make sure that you agree and understand these conditions.
BUYER
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3: Winning bidders agree to pay the winning bid plus the buyers premium charged by the auction house, this is currently 22% + VAT (26.4% total). Buyers purchasing via the-saleroom.com online live bidding platform will be charged an additional 4.95% + VAT on the hammer price.
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6: If two identical bids are left on one lot, the bid received first will take preference.
7: Telephone bids will only be accepted for lots with a bottom pre sale estimate of £200 or more. Telephone bids will only be accepted for lots with a pre sale estimate of under £200 if you are bidding on multiple lots which equal over £100 or are known to the auction house and have an agreement in place. International bidders we will only accept telephone bids on lots with a pre sale estimate of £500 or more.
8: Bids are accepted solely at the auctioneers discretion. The auctioneer has the legal right to re-open any lot in the auction, even if the hammer has come down. Any bids left via a third party, including a online bidding platform, are not classed as absentee bids and are taken as if a room bid. This may mean that the maximum bid you have left will fall on the bidder in the room, C&T Auctioneers and Valuers are not liable or responsible for any failure for your bid to be executed. C&T Auctioneers and Valuers are also not responsible for any error or problem with any bidding platform software used in the room or at the bidders location.
9: Conditions stated of items are the opinion of the cataloguer for the auction house. It is advised that interested bidders should view items in person or ask for condition reports of any defects. Condition will not be accepted for a reason to return a lot.
10: Some items may be referred to as “gold grade”, this does not mean that the item is made of gold, please make sure you check with us before bidding.
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12: Any statement made in the description of a lot is the opinion of the specialist cataloguer and will be either from evidence he or she has at the time of writing the description, this may also be information provided by the vendor of the lot. We advise all bidders to confirm this information before the auction takes place.
13: If bidders and buyers who are not experts in the lots they are interested in, we would recommend that they seek independent advice on the lots and the value before bidding.
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15: If you are successful in an auction with an absentee, telephone or internet bid, you will be invoiced, normally within 48 hours of the auction taking place. This invoice will normally include a shipping quote. These invoices are sent via email and have an attachment. Once you have had this invoice we require full payment within 7 days, unless another arrangement has been made with the auction house. Items must be collected from C&T Auctioneers and Valuers within 7 days of payment being made, unless agreement is in place with C&T Auctioneers and Valuers.
16: C&T Auctioneers and Valuers do offer an in house postal service for most items in our auctions, unless stated. However if an item(s) are too large or need specialist shipping methods, this will be conducted by a third party firm. Details of the firm we recommend will be passed onto buyers in this case. This also relates to lots of a certain value. PLEASE NOTE C&T AUCTIONEERS AND VALUERS ARE NOT A SHIPPING COMPANY, WE WOULD ASK ALL BUYERS TO BE PATIENT AND ITEMS ARE DEALT WITH ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.
17: C&T Auctioneers and Valuers are not responsible for any damage caused when items are in transit with postal / courier firms. We are also not responsible for any package sent either by ourselves or any third party company which is lost in transit.
18: C&T Auctioneers and Valuers declare the full value of any lot sent to international buyers. We are not responsible for any customs import charges of the country of destination. It is the buyers responsibility to make sure they can legally import the item into their country. We advise international buyers if they are not sure of any import issue, to obtain independent advice.
19: C&T Auctioneers and Valuers accept the following methods of payment, Cash in UK pounds sterling up to £3,000, Personal Cheques (must clear before goods are dispatched), Debit cards, Credit cards (2% surcharge will be added if paying with a credit card from clients outside the EU only), Bank Transfers (Please note that if paying by this method the amount received after the deduction of any bank fees or currency conversion of payment to UK pound sterling must not be less than the sterling amount payable as set out on the invoice).
Credit card payments where the card holder is not present will only be accepted for transactions up to £500.
20: If you purchase an item and you are not happy with the originality of an item you must contact the auction house within 7 days of receiving the lot(s), it is then solely up to the auctioneers discretion to issue a refund. Proof of error in description may be required, this is the responsibility of the purchaser to obtain this information and any fees associated with this are not refundable by C&T Auctioneers and Valuers. We will only accept information by a professional in the chosen field, we will not accept any information from a private individual or internet collectors forum. Any payment fees or postage fees associated with any lot can not be refunded.
21: If originality of an item is accepted proven after the vendor has been paid for a lot, it is up to the vendor, if they are willing to issue a refund. C&T Auctioneers and Valuers are unable to offer a refund without having an agreement from the vendor. Refunds will only be issued to the purchaser of the item and not if the item has been given or sold to a third party.
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24: All items sold are sold as collectors items, recommended for display use only and we do not advise or take any responsibility if used for the purpose for which they were designed for.
25: Any lots with the following symbol ^, will indicate that a CITES license will be required before the lot can be shipped outside of the EU.
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Sales made under the Auctioneers’ Scheme to other member states are treated in the same way as sales within the UK. The sales are liable to VAT in the UK.
