The Memphis Novelty Works was the firm of Thomas Leech, and was organized in Memphis, Tenn. about September, 1861 to manufacture “army cutlery.” Along with Charles Rigdon, Leech produced various pattern swords at Memphis until about May 1, 1862, when, due to the danger of that city being captured, the firm moved to Columbus, Mississippi. Thereafter the firm was known as the “Novelty Works/Leech & Rigdon.”

Fuller: A shallow groove on the blade that provides strength and flexibility while decreasing the weight of the sword. This groove is frequently and erroneously called a “blood groove”.

Grip: The part of the hilt actually grasped by the hand. It may be wood with a plain surface or wrapped in leather, or it may be bone, ivory or other decorative material. Early swords frequently have a plain steel grip.

Scabbard: A sheath to protect the blade. In the eighteenth century and earlier the scabbard was frequently made of leather with metal fittings; beginning in the nineteenth century scabbards began to be made entirely of metal.

Hilt: The upper portion of the sword, including the pommel, grip and guard.

Pommel: The top end of the sword’s hilt. It serves as means to secure the blade to the hilt and to provide a counterbalance for the sword. It may be a simple ball form or an elaborate figural form or an animal or human head, or other motif, as the weapon’s designer may decide.

Back: On single-edged swords the back is the opposite side of the edge. It may be quite thick to provide strength or it may be thin. There is no back on a double-edged sword.

Edge: The sharpened portion of the blade, typically the first third of the blade rising from the tip.

Tang: The part of the blade extending through the grip and secured to the pommel attaching the hilt to the blade.

Blade: The “business” end of the sword. It may be double or single edged, curved or straight.