My Due Diligence

[25Times]

Hello to all...a brief Introduction. I am an auctioneer by trade (primarily heavy equipment, locomotives & rail equipment, farm equipment, etc.) but several times a year, our company will have a customer pass and their family will ask us to hold an auction for the customers personal collections, be it guns, memorabilia or collectibles. I have found that forums are one of the best resources for my "due diligence" when gathering information on some of the items I am not so familiar with. I feel it is my responsibility to educate myself as much as possible concerning the items the family has entrusted us with. Not only for the family's benefit but also for the protection and confidence of potential bidders. I always want to make sure the items are represented correctly, and that is achieved, as all of you know, by hours of research. I've been looking for a well rounded civil war forum and I must say, I am very impressed with the knowledge of the members here. The collection I am currently working on is comprised of several civil war and WW1 era swords, bayonets, staves and knives. With permission of the moderators & members, I would like to share some photos of a few of the items in order to attain proper identification of models, makes and general history of these pieces.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Welcome from WNY

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome from South Florida and the Reenactors Forum, look forward to seeing the pieces

 

[USS ALASKA]

Welcome from the Railroads & Steam Locomotives forum! You've come to the right place!

https://civilwartalk.com/forums/railroads-steam-locomotives.203/

Cheers and Enjoy!
USS ALASKA

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I have found that forums are one of the best resources for my "due diligence" when gathering information on some of the items I am not so familiar with. I feel it is my responsibility to educate myself as much as possible concerning the items the family has entrusted us with. Not only for the family's benefit but also for the protection and confidence of potential bidders.

You have arrived at one of the best sites available .

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

 

[James N.]

… I've been looking for a well rounded civil war forum and I must say, I am very impressed with the knowledge of the members here. The collection I am currently working on is comprised of several civil war and WW1 era swords, bayonets, staves and knives. With permission of the moderators & members, I would like to share some photos of a few of the items in order to attain proper identification of models, makes and general history of these pieces.

Share away - and welcome to the forums from the host of the Stonewall Jackson Forum and a collector of everything from the Revolution to WWII!

 

[redbob]

Welcome to the group from middle Alabama.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. As long as you don't post any links to your auction site or promote them here, by all means go ahead and lets see the Civil War items.

 

[25Times]

Thanks, to each of you, for the welcome messages. I guess I will start with a few short swords.
* The CSN Naval Cutlass, I am pretty certain, is a reproduction. I guess I should say 100% certain. CSN On Pommel is not standard and the anchor on the other side is extremely weak and slightly misplaced. There are no makers marks or military cartouche, and the blade is without the slightest hint of any center bevel. The shape of the guard is wrong also.
* The Ames 1832 Foot Soldier Artillery Sword I believe is authentic. Triple fuller blade, w N.P. Ames makers mark, Springfield, Eagle Cartouche and 1833 all stamped in proper form, shape, placement & size. Inspectors Stamp in an oval on the guard, S. Huse Newbury Port stamp on the top of the guard & an M stamped on the guard as well. The scales on the handle are proper, blade is secured with the proper top peen in the pommel, and the 2 eagle cartouche on the pommel are correct.
* The CS Artillery Sword is one I am confused about. I cant find any information on it at all. The blade seems to be legitimate but the handle is very suspect to me. The impressions are way too distinct and clear for a sword of that age and the patina seems to be applied. I also think it is strange that the only marking on the piece is the Richmond Arsenal Stamp on the blade.

Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I may have to do several posts to get all the pictures up.

 

[25Times]

Ames 1832

 

[25Times]

CS Artillery

 

[25Times]

Welcome to the group from middle Alabama.

Oorah!

 

[Lubliner]

I cannot answer any questions, but you definitely have my attention!
Welcome from Chattanooga,
Lubliner.

 

[UCVRelics]

First of all its always hard to tell from photos as I like to hold them in my and and even lick them (fake patina has an acidic taste) In looking at the Ames it's right as rain as it has all the proper marks. IMHO The CS arty short sword is a repop as if you look in the Richmond stamp you don't see any pitting in side the letters as it is outside plus the lines on the handle are running the wrong way. Also tap the handle and tell me if its hollow or solid. IMHO the Naval is also a repop as the CSN isn't right as well as the eagle.

 

[Ole Miss]

Welcome from the Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing Forum and North Mississippi! Be sure and visit the Forum soon.
Regards
David

 

[tbuckley]

Welcome from eastern Ohio.

 

[Patrick H]

Welcome from Missouri. I am very sorry that I can't help you with the information you seek on these items, but I sure do like seeing them. I will help you keep your thread alive until help arrives! (PS: I just like the natural concept of putting a fish scale grip pattern on the handle of a Navy fighting knife!)

 

[Mrs. V]

Very interesting pieces. I'm sure the people in the know will be interested in what you have. And thanks for being honest enough to say, "I don't know" and seeking out people who do.

 

[UCVRelics]

Here are photos of originals. I have owned 3 CS arty sword and 2 CS Naval cutlass's over my 47 years of collecting and these are repops. There is no wear on any of them where you should have wear and I have NEVER seen one marked Richmond Arsenal.