CIVIL War Confederate Hayden & Whilden Charleston So Carolina Sword 1 Of 4 Known

Hayden & Whilden Artillery Officer's Sword. In 1863, the partnership of Hayden and Whilden ended when William G. Whilden became a lieutenant in the elite Confederate Washington Artillery stationed in Charleston South Carolina. He served his unit until his company surrendered with the Army of Tennessee at Greensboro North Carolina on April 26, 1865. This light artillery sword was actually manufactured by Thomas Griswold of New Orleans and marked "Hayden & Whilden, Charleston, SC" on the reverse ricasso and sent to the Charleston firm for their use as military outfitters of artillery units. This saber is probably the best example in existence. The saber and scabbard are totally uncleaned and untouched. File finishing marks on the hilt, blade and scabbard are still very evident. Confederate light artillery sabers are rare, and only four surviving Hayden & Whilden examples are known to exist.

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