This wonderful Boyle & Gamble Staff & Field Officers Sword popped out of an old barn in Youngstown, Ohio a few years ago. The new owner that bought it off the farm had my business card from the Mansfield, Ohio Civil War show and finally gave me a call. We sat in my dining room for 2 hours and finally worked out a deal. This is a great Confederate S&F. The guard is a beautiful, deep brown patina with generous amounts of gold gilt gleeming through and a bold CS incorporated into the scrollwork. It has one of the best grips I've ever seen with all the original leather save for a few small flakes that have blended with wear and all the original wire. The blade, with typical unstopped fuller and the usual B&G casting flaws, shows almost all its original etch, with crossed flags & cannons and a host of scrolling and tobacco leaves, all a bit light but still there and visIble. The mounts and drag patina match that of the guard perfectly. It also retains an original braided sword knot that was found with the sword, undoubtedly with it since its period of use. This is a great sword that I have no doubt will be appreciated as such. It is free of dents to any brass and there is virtually no flaking or severe creasing and crackling to the leather. It doesn't have that battered and uncared for look. It was an old veteran that was placed in a trunk after the war, and save for the drag restoration is untouched retaining all its original patina.