How large is a typical sword collection?

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

German Swords and Sword Makers, Edged Weapon Makers from the 14th to the 20th Centuries, by Richard H. Bezdek.

Thanks! I have another of Bezdek's books.

 

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

These sabers (with the circular Roby maker mark) and related items were ordered to equip the new independent companies of militia that Massachusetts was raising to replace those that had gone off to war. These companies were to help preserve order and resist any attack within the state, so these sabers likely never left Massachusetts. It is interesting to note that Christopher Roby became the troop commander of the company raised in his area. In 1863 Massachusetts had also ordered Spencer carbines for these companies, so they would have been well armed, but the State acquiesced the carbines to the Federal government for use in the war at its request.

My Roby saber is marked C. Roby, Chelmsford Mass., but I don't think the mark is circular.

 

[bobinwmass]

My Roby saber is marked C. Roby, Chelmsford Mass., but I don't think the mark is circular.

There are also 1863 dated sabers with a straight 3-line marking and an arched marking that were made for subsequent Federal contracts. These would have Federal inspector initials (A.G.M. if I remember correctly) on the blade. Yours is then likely one of them.

 

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

There are also 1863 dated sabers with a straight 3-line marking and an arched marking that were made for subsequent Federal contracts. These would have Federal inspector initials (A.G.M. if I remember correctly) on the blade. Yours is then likely one of them.

Yes, I believe my saber has the Abner G. Mossman mark on it.

 

[Spathologist]

I'm at 51 "in" the US Cavalry saber collection, and another dozen that have been "de-accessed" awaiting sale.

 

[Glen_C]

Nothing new, so far this year

 

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

Nothing new, so far this year

Keep us posted.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

I currently have five ACW swords. One is Confederate, and the rest are Union, with one of those being identified. Of those five, two are foot officer swords and three are cavalry sabers. I will possibly pick up a couple more if the right one came along at a good time.
I guess the holes in my collection would be an artillery sword, a short sword and a musician/NCO sword.

 

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

I currently have five ACW swords. One is Confederate, and the rest are Union, with one of those being identified. Of those five, two are foot officer swords and three are cavalry sabers. I will possibly pick up a couple more if the right one came along at a good time.
I guess the holes in my collection would be an artillery sword, a short sword and a musician/NCO sword.

I'm looking for a named cavalry saber and a named artillery saber, but I want a sword from a man with significant combat history. I'd especially love to get a cavalry saber from either the 15th PA Cavalry, or one of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade regiments (1st, 5th, 6th, and 7th Michigan), or one of Buford's key regiments at Gettysburg, the 12th Illinois or the 3rd Indiana. I know, I'm looking for a hen's tooth, but I am patient. Also, I have a gold watch that was presented to a major in the 12th Indiana Cavalry, so I'd love to have a sword from that same regiment to go with it.

 

[bayonet]

14 ACW and 28 Rev War (was 29 but just sold one). 3 of the 28 off to the side getting ready to go to market (the rest mounted on the office wall) and I may sell more of the remaining Rev War ones.

 

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

These two slides show the current size and nature of my growing Civil War sword collection: nine swords, seven with provenances. All but one of these swords were acquired since February of last year.

 

[gjpratt]

It's addictive.

 

[bayonet]

These two slides show the current size and nature of my growing Civil War sword collection: nine swords, seven with provenances. All but one of these swords were acquired since February of last year.

View attachment 575664
View attachment 575665

Let me know if you come across one ID to a 17th Connecticut officer!

 

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

Let me know if you come across one ID to a 17th Connecticut officer!

Will do. Do you have an ancestor who served in that unit?

 

[bayonet]

Will do. Do you have an ancestor who served in that unit?

Yup in E Company

 

[captaindrew]

Do 2 swords make a collection?

 

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

Do 2 swords make a collection? View attachment 575702

They look lovely enough. Is that an artillery saber on the bottom?

 

[R. Porter]

They look lovely enough. Is that an artillery saber on the bottom?

Looks like a company grade officer's sword.

 

[R. Porter]

Do 2 swords make a collection? View attachment 575702

It's a collection in early stages.

 

[captaindrew]

They look lovely enough. Is that an artillery saber on the bottom?

Foot officer's sword