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This saber is engraved with the name “Col. Charles S. Venable”. That officer was Assistant Adjutant General and aide to General Robert E. Lee. W. Clauberg, Solingen, Germany, made the blade of the saber. The brass knuckle-bow hilt has two branches that form a counter guard and is engraved with floral design. The pommel is flat and engraved with leaves. The grips are made of brass with four horizontal bands of engraved leaves and the owner’s name inscribed. The ferrule at the base of the grips has an engraved band of leaves. The blade is curved and was engraved on the obverse side but is now ground off. The reverse blade no longer shows the engraving but the mark for the manufacturer’s name appears on the ricasso. The back blade is marked “Iron Proof”. The iron scabbard has two brass carrying rings, engraved brass throat, middle band and drag.
An article about this sword was published by the magazine, “Confederate Veteran”, Volume Three 2001, pages 26 and 27. A copy is in the back of this notebook. Also, with it, there is a copy of the parole signed by General Robert E. Lee and a picture of the Staff of General Lee. Arrows have been added to point to Lt. Col. Charles S. Venable. The name engraved on the hilt of the sword is very similar to the Venable signature on the parole.
Customarily, army officers bought their uniforms and their weapons. Enlisted men were issued their uniforms and weapons. Generally, the army had American companies produce general issue items to include swords. The officers bought their swords from companies that followed specifications referred to as “Model Numbers” which allowed considerable latitude. An officer’s sword was a source of great pride. Many swords and sword blades were imported from Germany, Spain and France. The Clauberg mark on the Venable sword is a standing knight in armor.
Wilhelm Clauberg was one of the leading sword makers in the world. The following statement is in “German Swords and Sword Makers”, by Richard H. Bezdek, page 37:
Wilhelm Clauberg & AG Solingen 1847- 1918
• Sold swords and blades to northern and southern dealers during the American Civil War, 1861—1865.
• Sold Swords to W.H. Horstmann; Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham;
and Tomes, Son & Melvain. The Clauberg family were famous sword makers from the year 1303.
Included in the research of this sword were visits and conversations with members of the Venable family in Virginia and Texas. None contacted have any knowledge of the disposition of the weapon after the war. Personnel at the Confederate Museum in Richmond, VA, photographed and registered the pictures into the museum collection. They owned swords of other famous Confederate officers but not one having belonged to Venable! Interestingly,
William A. Albaugh III, the recognized authority and author concerning Confederate swords, insistently offered to buy the weapon in 1966. His offer was not considered.
Many references describe Charles S. Venable as a brilliant and dedicated officer. Also, he was unusually quiet and, at times, moody. He signed the parole at Appomattox, but he did not appear in the picture taken after the event. Possibly, simply, he mounted his horse and rode away, giving his sword to the first union soldier he met. He went to the University of Virginia and taught mathematics for fifty years. There are photographs of Venable in civilian dress, but none in his military uniform.
The sword is a beautiful saber, large enough for a tall man. It may have been a captured weapon. It may have been a carefully prepared gift!
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