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The collection consists of three swords owned by Captain Thomas Mickleberry Merritt. His unit in the Civil War was Company
G, 2nd Georgia Regiment (Marion County) in Army of Tennessee.
1. The Officer's Heavy Straight Saber has a 37.5 inch steel blade and a right-handed swept brass hilt. This weapon, with accompanying
iron scabbard, was apparently manufactured in the late 18th or early 19th century. The blade is high quality steel, possibly
of German manufacture. It is centrally ridged along the length of the blade, creating the effect of a double-fuller along
both sides. In addition, there is a dorsal spine flattened some 30" from the hilt pointward. Along this spine, at the hilt,
is an engraved inscription. "M" is monogrammed in a circle. This is followed by "S[?]ture Imple du Klingenthal Juin 1812".
The swept hilts are made of brass, and bear a small stamped fleur-de-lis and the word "Versailles" along the rear sweep. The
grip, originally leather over corded wood, is largely devoid of leather. This is a weapon of exceptional quality.
2. Cavalry Officer's Heavy Saber has a 35 inch steel blade and a right-handed swept brass hilt. This weapon was manufactured
in New Orleans, Louisiana, in August of 1861 by Thomas, Griswold, & Co. The blade is characterized by hevay pitting and corrosion,
though the brass hilt seems relatively undamaged, save a bar break along the lead sweep.
3. Cavalry/Infantry Officer's Saber (Light) has a 35 inch steel blade and a right-handed swept brass hilt. This saber was
the personal property of Captain Thomas Mickleberry Merritt, and was given to the University of Georgia with a steel scabbard.
It is of a fairly common pattern, most closely representing the "Palmetto" type sabers of 1852, which were produced in Columbia,
South Carolina, by William Glaze & Company.
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