While browsing www.michaeldlong.com
I came across a sword marked Connecticut Vigilantes. The sword is mid 19th century. Has anyone any background on this group?

Although the word vigilante may have more modern meaning to some, I'm assuming it was a militia group. Whether it was supported by government, or not, I don't have a clue. It does seem that the two terms were used somewaht interchangably it several states.

Just one of those things that makes me go "hmmm" and wonder about local history a bit more.

Any leads would be appreciated. I'm going to spend some more time poking around. It seems like a possibly interesting search.

Cheers

GC

Glen,
That is interesting. The 1850 date places that sword towards the end of the blued blade era (or did the Germans continue that practice a bit later than other countries?). I look forward to reading what you learn about the Vigilantes.

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

I should clarify, for those reading, that it is the scabbard and not the blade that is so marked. It is hard to say if the letters were stamped or etched because of the paint. That they are an inch tall is also kind of unusual.

As far as the blue and gilt, I've seen several continental pieces (German, French) from that late that still have this work. It is a bit later than what one might think as the heyday of the fashion but not uncommon, to my knowledge.

I had some interruptions here but I'm about to hit some searches on Connecticut military history.

Cheers

GC

A Google search reveals that "Connecticut Vigilante" is a kind of cigar. "Connecticut" refers to a particular variety of tobacco leaf, it seems, while "vigilante" seems to indicate the cigar type. There must be some connection to the paint on the weapon, but I can't find it. I can imagine the scabbard being painted some time in the late 19th or early 20th c and the weapon hung in a tobbaconist's shop as an advertisement of the cigars offered. The fact that it's a German weapon on an English auction site nudges me in that direction as well. Betcha a US dollar this weapon has never been to Connecticut.

Hi Sean,

What I got out of Googling today was that vigilance committees in New England states were quite involved with abolitionist activity. They were apparently not endorsed by government but quite active in the protection and support of the "underground railroad". The time frame fits quite well. Connecticut was a bit gradual in their adoption of civil rights.

Somehow this seems a more likely connection for a top tier blue and gilt blade than a tobbaco advertisment.

Cheers

GC

Hi Sean,

I agree that direct attribution can be a tough one to nail down.

I'd link directly to the sword but that website doesn't work that way.
The piece is listed in the "other category in the sword section there.

It's tough to say whether the letters were rolled in, with a die during manufacture, or etched. The black paint covers the whole scabbard.

The term vigilante meant different things in Connecticut over the years and there were different groups, some exist today. In colonial times, it seems the vigilance groups were actually formed directly under mandate from local government. During the decade that preceded the American Civil War, New England (and New York) had quite active vigilance groups that were focusing on the civil rights issues.

On the other hand, I'm taking a closer look at the 13th volunteers from Connecticut and some other regiments that evolved from local militias. Vermont had a military company that had sprung from the Green Mountain Vigilantes, which hearkened back to the pre-abilitionist use of the term.

Many colonists had brought a great deal of tradition and government policy with them from England. Up through our revolution and drafting of constitution, a great deal of law enforcement and public safety was based on the old foundations.

An older fraternal organization sounds completely plausible and was actually (more or less, in my mind) how I framed the original question.
I was simply fielding whether anyone might have heard of such a group.

AFAIK; the tobacco and cigar reference is quite modern and post dates the still present Cuba embargo.

Cheers

GC

As somewhat of a cigar afficenado, I can offer this about the Conneticut Vigilante: Connetiticut shadeleaf tobacco is a mild wrapper leaf grown under cheesecloth awnings. Not long ago I came across several acres of shadeleaf being grown not far from the Hartford airport...I'm sure there is much more. It makes a very tasty and mild wrapper leaf for premium handrolled cigars. I think "vigilante" is the name of the brand, not the type of cigar. There is no "vigilante" size or length that I am personally aware of such as "Churchills", "Toros," "Panatello," "Torpedos," etc. It was probably an advertising gimmick.

Yes, cigar brand/co. is what I'm seeing and Nicaraguan origin would (to me) indicate within the past fifty years.

I'm still plowing through some history sites and fraternal lists. There was a fraternal group called the Vigilantes but I have not yet connected it to 19th century Connecticut. The 13th volunteers led to some interesting biographies but no connection yet.

Cheers

GC