Looking For Sword/Saber Buying Tips.

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

I'm a new sword collector myself. I've been a watch collector for over 40 years, and a named Civil War watch collector for about the last 11 years. I began collecting swords within the past year and I've gone the named sword route. Two I bought at auction, two I bought from Union Drummer Boy, one I bought from Horse Soldier, and one I bought from Collectors Armoury California. I've been satisfied with all my purchases so far. I inherited an un-named Roby Model 1860 cavalry saber dated 1863 from my late friend and I then bought an un-named Ames artilleryman's gladius style sword from a local sword expert. It is dated 1836 on the blade. I already had one sword, a named Model 1852 Naval officer's sword by Wilhelm Clauberg of Solingen in West Prussia, that came in the same auction lot with a Waltham pocket watch with a matching presentation on the dust cover. I bought both Thillmann books, as well as Bezdek's "Swords of the American Civil War" and Tuite's book on Navy swords. I've written three books on 19th century watches myself, so I believe in books and the advantage they offer to collectors.

I now have six Union army and navy swords with provenances and I try to acquire pieces that relate in one way or another to my 18 Civil War provenance watches. I also bought a sword that was presented to a lieutenant in the 102nd PA Infantry, Company F, which was raised in my home town of Pittsburgh. Company F was raised from the rolls of the Niagara Fire Company in Pittsburgh, which had a famous mascot, Dog Jack, who accompanied them to war. I have posted pix of all of these swords on this forum. All but one of my named swords are imports. Four are Clauberg swords, and one is by Gebruder Weyersberg, also of Solingen, a sword smithing city known as such since the middle ages. The other is an Ames sword.

Good luck in your collecting endeavors, bobbss.

 

[bobbss]

Thanks for all the input, guys. Now they are saying my book will be here by Friday. I do get on Arizona Swords now and then and look at the fake swords, trying to learn a little. I don't know if I'll buy enough swords to really be considered a collector, but I'd like to at least get a handful for my Civil War collection, and for right now I want to stick with American made.

 

[bobbss]

Well my book finally came yesterday. Very nice book, looks and even still smells new. Since I'm interested in other types of swords, I went ahead and ordered the other book a few minutes ago. Hopefully that will pretty much cover all my bases.

 

[bobbss]

My other book came today. It looks very nice as well.

 

[Papabyrd]

check on shilohrelics.com he has real stuff at good prices . I have pursed several items from him and have never been disappointed

 

[scooter748driver]

Be sure to read about the Ames artillery sabers in your new book. Very informative.

 

[bobbss]

I always have Shiloh Relics pulled up, it is one of my favorite sites and will probably be where I get my next sword from.

 

[bobbss]

Scooter748driver, is there something particular that you was thinking I needed to read about?

 

[scooter748driver]

Scooter748driver, is there something particular that you was thinking I needed to read about?

The pre-war models.

 

[bobbss]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll check it out. Someday I might be interested in earlier dates, but I've got it stuck in my head right now that I'm only interested in dates of 1861 to 1863, and probably 1864. After I get a few, I might consider 1865.

 

[R. Porter]

Would it be reasonable to assume sabers with earlier dates have a better chance of Confederate use or, at least, be identical to some sabers used by the Confederacy?

 

[bobbss]

Would it be reasonable to assume sabers with earlier dates have a better chance of Confederate use or, at least, be identical to some sabers used by the Confederacy?

It would make sense to me that that could be the case.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

I have bought several times from Shiloh Civil War Relics. Rafael is honest and knowledgeable, his prices are pretty fair (but you should always look around), and he guarantees authenticity without time limit to the original buyer.

I second Raphael at Shiloh Relics.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Get the 2 books that are best on the subject. John Thillmann CIVIL WAR ARMY SWORDS and CIVIL WAR CAVALRY & ARTILLERY SWORDS. The Army one can be found for $90 but the Cav one is out of print and found for $300-400. I got lucky and found one and offered $200 under a year ago, they accepted. Mentioned Dealers are great and once you get experience Auctions are also great to get deals.

Dang it. Guess I missed the boat on those at those prices!

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Today, I sent a money order to Larry Hicklen at Middle Tennessee Relics for a Mansfield & Lamb 1860, that is dated 1861. It is #12 on his website. He seems like a good guy. I can't wait to get it.

Larry has been doing this for a very long time. Great guy and a great reputation. I have made a several purchases from him over the years and even visited his shop ( by appointment only) when I was in Tennesse a few years ago. I got the grand tour of his shop and never felt rushed. Needless to say I bought a Confederate note and a beautiful Federal Sword plate recovered in Franklin. Congratulations!

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

I did get my sword last week. Here is a few pictures.

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Looks great!! It most certainly saw service. Notice the dents in the scabbard. Those were usually done intentionally by the trooper to keep the saber from rattling around in the scabbard and making a lot of noise.

 

[bayonet]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll check it out. Someday I might be interested in earlier dates, but I've got it stuck in my head right now that I'm only interested in dates of 1861 to 1863, and probably 1864. After I get a few, I might consider 1865.

By the time a 1865 dated sword was issued the war was over or in it's last week or two.

 

[bobbss]

By the time a 1865 dated sword was issued the war was over or in it's last week or two.

The only reason I was think I might be willing to buy an 1865 dated sword down the road, is that it was probably order with the thought of it being needed for the war. Unless it was some kind of a crazy good deal, it probably won't happen until I have at least one of every type/style that I want, and it will still need to be a good deal. Swords aren't the only Civil War items that I want to collect. I hope to get a few guns, and some other stuff. I also like collecting other stuff, and only get so much money to play with. lol!

 

[scooter748driver]

Agree. At the beginning of war, both sides were scrambling to use anything and everything they had on hand. Not only early dates, but anything dated prior to the war itself was more likely used and saw the elephant than stuff manufactured late in the war.