I was at a militaria auction in Maine about 10 years ago and they were auctioning a sword that had been recovered from Little Big Horn. I saw and held the sword, which had provenance , but it was a 3 day auction with over 1000 items, all high end. I left after I saw many of the items without buying or even bidding on one. Im sure i could not have bought it without putting myself in a bad way financially. So these items do come up on occasion. Yet even with a well respected auction house, I dont think you can guarantee the items are authentic. if you attend auctions Im sure you know what I mean.