Is this an authentic sword?

[Laura M]

Hi all. I have the opportunity to purchase a CW sword at a local pawn shop. The owner says it's been checked out and is authentic - but I know less than nothing about swords. I've done some reading online, but I'm such a novice, I don't want to purchase this without advice. I took some pics and would love to know what you all think. Thanks!!

 

[scooter748driver]

From what I can see and tell it looks correct. I'm at work and away from my Thillman's book to know for sure. I'm certainly NOT an expert, but they should be along soon to help.

Curious, what is the asking price?

 

[Laura M]

He wants $500, but we might be able to talk him down. Thanks for your help!

 

[gjpratt]

Looks good to me too. I encourage negotiation.

 

[Laura M]

Looks good to me too. I encourage negotiation.

He'll take $400. Thanks!!

 

[bayonet]

Try to get him down to $300-350. You ask why: well the condition of the leather grip is not so good and to replace/repair it (if you wanted) would cost $200-300 more. The date is 1865 and if you want a ACW sword that went thru the ACW I suggest you look for dates on the M1860s of 1859-1864. Made in 1865 by the time that got issued in the field the war was about to end if it didn't end already. If money is not an issue you can get much better at shows, auctions (online too), and dealers (online too) for $500-1000

 

[Laura M]

I was thinking the same thing about the date -it may not have ever been used in the field. Lots to consider! I think he's pretty firm at $400. It still would be a neat thing to have. I mostly collect letters and documents from the period but stay away from belt buckles and weapons and the like because I just feel like I can't properly authenticate them. Thank you!

 

[UCVRelics]

I'm with @bayonet on the date. $400 is way to much for a sword that was never used during the CW. I would pass and keep my powder dry for a better one with a war used date.

 

[Laura M]

Thanks. I was leaning towards that conclusion.

 

[R. Porter]

It is a Mansfield and Lamb and comes with a scabbard and that brass sword hanger doohicke, but the hilt… The pommel has that patchwork appearance of brass that has been over-cleaned with a strong chemical sometime in the past and I don't like that green oxidation on the quillon. It looks like thing have dripped onto the brass of the hilt and that number on the pommel might mean the pommel has been removed from the blade at one time. You should probably remove the yellow stuff from the blade.

So, you have a real sword with scabbard and hanger. A dealer may ask for more based on a Mansfield and Lamb sword being assembled in America of American made parts, but the company did deliver 37,508 by the end of it contracts so it is not a rare sword. The hilt has issues. If we look at Thillmann's book, he has Mansfield and Lamb's last two contracts as dated June, 1864, for 8,000 sabers and January, 1865, for 5,000 sabers. If the sword you're looking at was from the last batch it never made it to the circus, let alone saw the elephant. And a sword that saw the elephant is really what you want from a Civil War sword.

 

[redbob]

It is a Mansfield and Lamb and comes with a scabbard and that brass sword hanger doohicke, but the hilt… The pommel has that patchwork appearance of brass that has been over-cleaned with a strong chemical sometime in the past and I don't like that green oxidation on the quillon. It looks like thing have dripped onto the brass of the hilt and that number on the pommel might mean the pommel has been removed from the blade at one time. You should probably remove the yellow stuff from the blade.

So, you have a real sword with scabbard and hanger. A dealer may ask for more based on a Mansfield and Lamb sword being assembled in America of American made parts, but the company did deliver 37,508 by the end of it contracts so it is not a rare sword. The hilt has issues. If we look at Thillmann's book, he has Mansfield and Lamb's last two contracts as dated June, 1864, for 8,000 sabers and January, 1865, for 5,000 sabers. If the sword you're looking at was from the last batch it never made it to the circus, let alone saw the elephant. And a sword that saw the elephant is really what you want from a Civil War sword.

That brass sword doohicke (one of my favorite southern terms) appears to be a Stuart sword hanger invented and patented by none other than one JEB Stuart and was purchased by the United States Government for use by it's Army.

 

[bayonet]

I was thinking the same thing about the date -it may not have ever been used in the field. Lots to consider! I think he's pretty firm at $400. It still would be a neat thing to have. I mostly collect letters and documents from the period but stay away from belt buckles and weapons and the like because I just feel like I can't properly authenticate them. Thank you!

Don't shy away or be discouraged. This website is a great place to learn about such items and has helped me. I wish it was around over 45 years ago when I began collecting. Helps you from being ripped off or buying something that in the long run will disappoint you. There is an auction coming up with many M1860 sabers. I'm not in the market for them anymore but about 6 months ago I won a 1959 marked AMES 1860 saber for $500 (now I have two) only because I bid the lowest as a fluke and bam I won it. It is also 3 times in better shape then the one you pictured above. If I sold it I'd probably get between $900-1200 ($1500 on a good day!).

 

[Laura M]

Thank you all for your responses! This is precisely why I posted here.

 

[Sundance]

It has nice strong markings which is a plus and a scabbard. I'd like to know what the substance that looks like J-B Weld is under the guard where the blade goes into the grip and why it's there. Usually you just have a fabric/leather ring there to keep the blade in tight. Or am I looking at an old hard piece of leather? Also, looks like the blade was shined up a bit. There is the date issue. I'm from NY and I wouldn't find a $400. price to be bad since you have a scabbard with it. Just wondering about that J-B Weld looking addition.