Id’d Thomas, Griswold Cavalry Officers’ Saber – Captain George Pettigrew Bryan Commander of Company C, 19th North Carolina Troops (Second Regiment North Carolina Cavalry)

NEW PRICING!  Id’d Thomas, Griswold Cavalry Officers’ Saber – Captain George Pettigrew Bryan Commander of Company C, 19^th North Carolina Troops (Second Regiment North Carolina Cavalry) – This saber is an extremely rare example of a Thomas Griswold & Company of New Orleans, Cavalry Officers’ saber; the saber was the possession of Captain George Pettigrew Bryan, Co. C, 2^nd NC Cavalry. The saber is a cavalry officer’s model by Thomas Griswold, New Orleans, made in the style of the U.S. Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry saber; the Griswold stamping clearly appears on the ricasso of the saber. The saber remains in superior condition, retaining an excellent blade; the grip exhibits its full, original leather and wire wrap.  The scabbard is brass, as is the hilt which exhibits numerous floral motifs. According to Gordon Jones’ seminal work “Confederate Odyssey:  The George W. Wray, Jr. Civil War Collection at the Atlanta History Center: “…at least 354 cavalry sabers were sold to the state of North Carolina, and a variety of beautiful, finely crafted officers’ swords were provided for private sale.”  One must presume that Captain Bryan purchased this saber when he joined his North Carolina cavalry regiment. With the dissolution of the New Orleans firm of Hyde & Goodrich, in 1861, the entity continued operation, renamed as Thomas, Griswold & Co., operating at the corner of Canal and Royal Streets, in New Orleans. The two principal owners of the newly formed company were Henry Thomas, Jr. and A. B. Griswold. Although Griswold would manufacture a wide range of military supplies, the firm was best known for their high-quality swords, sabers and cutlasses. Indeed, Griswold’s edged weapons were considered some of the most finely crafted in the South, during the war. Thomas, Griswold & Company produced and imported military materiel for the Confederacy, as well. Comparable to many southern arms and materiel manufacturers, Thomas, Griswold & Company utilized, as prototypes, Federal arms to provide models for their products as exemplified in the style of this saber. The New Orleans entity’s success was short-lived, as Union Naval forces captured New Orleans on April 25, 1862, thereby ending their brisk business by seizing the South’s largest port city. In response to the capture of New Orleans, Griswold would move production to the state of Georgia; therefore, swords stamped with the Griswold name, made in New Orleans are markedly more desirable on the collectors’ market. This example is clearly stamped on the ricasso:

“Thomas Griswold & Co.

New Orleans”

There are several notable characteristics of the company’s products; the first is that the blade is highly unusual for a Confederate made sword – it has a stopped fuller as a result of the manufacturers having acquired the necessary equipment and skills in the pre-war years; additionally, the high quality scabbard is made entirely of brass, from throat to drag. Of added interest is that the drag on this sword was attached in an “upside down” position, in the period of manufacture. The provenance of this sword is of great significance – it was the edged weapon of **George Pettigrew Bryan, an officer in the 2^nd North Carolina cavalry; he would be killed in action, in August, 1864, outside of Richmond, Virginia. We have had other Griswold sabers, but this example is, by far, the best, regarding both overall condition and significant provenance and history.

Measurements: OL – 41”(including scabbard); Sword L – 37; Blade L – 34.5”

 **George Pettigrew Bryan (1841-1864) was first cousin to General James J. Pettigrew and brother-in-law of General Bryan Grimes. He was the son of prominent congressman and lawyer John Heritage Bryan (1798-1870) and Mary Williams Shepard Bryan (1801-1881).  Bryan’s military records indicate that he enlisted as a 2^nd lieutenant in the 2^nd North Carolina Cavalry (19^th State Troops) on September 30, 1861.  During his tenure with the 2^nd North Carolina Cavalry, Bryan was promoted to lieutenant on July 1, 1862; he was both wounded and captured in action while engaged with Union troops at Upperville, Virginia, June 21, 1863.  During his imprisonment, Bryan was promoted to the rank of captain, July 14, 1863.  He was exchanged at Point Lookout, Maryland, March 1, 1864, and returned to service.  On August 16, 1864, Bryan was killed in action while engaged with Union troops, during a cavalry charge outside Richmond. Bryan attained a place on the North Carolina “Roll of Honor” for his service during the Civil War and is interred in Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Provenance: On June 16, 1997, Bryan’s Thomas, Griswold, cavalry officer’s saber was sold to Will Gorges, noted long time, respected dealer, by William Bryan Thomson, a descendant of George Pettigrew Bryan’s brother, Henry Ravenscroft Bryan, Jr.  A bill of sale accompanies the saber, duly notarized, which provides the pertinent facts surrounding the sale and the establishment of its original, war period ownership by George Pettigrew Bryan.  An accompanying letter by Mr. Gorges describes his knowledge of the saber as early as 1992, and numerous subsequent contacts he had with Mr. Thomson.

Bryan’s Richmond Depot shell jacket is held by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History; his officer’s slouch hat is held by the NC Museum of History.

Capt George Pettigrew Bryan VETERAN

BIRTH

9 Oct 1841

DEATH

16 Aug 1864 (aged 22)

BURIAL

Oakwood Cemetery

Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA

2nd North Carolina Cavalry, Co. G. C.S.A.

The 2nd North Carolina Cavalry Regiment commissioned or enlisted 1,439 men during the Civil War. Sixty-three were killed or mortally wounded and 151 died of disease. Two hundred fifty-six became prisoners of war, of whom 17 died in captivity. Seventy-one were disabled, and 30 deserted.

 2nd North Carolina Cavalry Regiment

19th North Carolina State Troops

The 2nd North Carolina Cavalry Regiment commissioned or enlisted 1,439 men during the Civil War. Sixty-three were killed or  mortally wounded and 151 died of disease. Two hundred fifty-six became prisoners of war, of whom 17 died in captivity. Seventy-one were disabled, and 30 deserted.