Confederate Sword - Palmetto
Armory/William R Glaze and Company
William Glaze, the most recognized name
associated with the Palmetto Armory, was a native South Carolinian
and businessman of Columbia, South Carolina in the decades before
the War. In 1850 the South Carolina general assembly
appropriated $350,000.00 for the purpose of buying war material. As
a result, Glaze, Benjamin Flagg and James Boatwright partnered
together to make muskets, rifles, bayonets, pistols and swords for
the state of South Carolina in 1850 or 1851. On April 15 the
armory contracted to make 6000 muskets with bayonets, 1000 rifles,
2000 pistols, 1000 artillery swords and 1000 cavalry swords.
The "RWZ" initials correspond to the Palmetto Armory inspector's
initials. As another indication of the manufacturer of this
sword, Southern arsenals commonly used roman numerals to match parts
for assembly. This sword guard is marked w/ the number XXXXII.
This sword must have hung in a barn or attic for many years as the
blade is very solid but has been exposed to the elements. Some
of the original wooden grip and wire still remain.
Price: $1300


