Original sword?

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

This confederate sword is on eBay and I plan on bidding 2000 there is 11 hours left and it's at 700 is it real

 

[bayonet]

This confederate sword is on eBay and I plan on bidding 2000 there is 11 hours left and it's at 700 is it realView attachment 430972View attachment 430973View attachment 430974View attachment 430975

Young Collector bid $20.00 and no more and use it to hack weeds. It's FAKE but don't take my word for it. Go to www.azswords.com or Arizona Swords. He has a Fake page and that sword is towards the bottom of the page with many photos of it. He is very knowledgeable also. Also be very careful of any antique collectable on E-Bay.

 

[bobinwmass]

Before you keep shelling out large amounts of money on items you are not of and have to keep asking about, I think you should take some time and buy the reference books and do some research. I think that learning is one of the most important aspects of collecting.

 

[UCVRelics]

Before you keep shelling out large amounts of money on items you are not of and have to keep asking about, I think you should take some time and buy the reference books and do some research. I think that learning is one of the most important aspects of collecting.

I think the only way he is going to learn is take a few major hits as Steve Wonder can see its a fake.

 

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

Thanks for the help I have many books already but have none on swords can y'all recommend one

 

[UCVRelics]

Thanks for the help I have many books already but have none on swords can y'all recommend one

 

[UCVRelics]

Thanks for the help I have many books already but have none on swords can y'all recommend one

Books are a good starter, but owning them, seeing them, handling them is the best way to learn. Listening to folks is the KEY.

 

[CyleKostello]

That red background tells me the seller is "generallee292". Guy's one of the most notorious CW relic crooks on ebay. Search his name on this forum and you'll get a laundry list of complaints. Steer well clear.

Also more broadly. When you're just starting out stick too buying from well established dealers with good refund policies. I would also say try and find a collecting niche. It's impossible to know everything about everything so find an area you're really passionate about and bear down on it, learn all the ins an outs, or as many of them as you can. For example, I focus on medals & badges (singles, pairs & groups - if you got any send me a PM!) to NY and Mass. Regiments. Even within this seemingly narrow group there is so so much to learn. And that goes double or triple for things like weapons, uniforms, or photos.

Once you've handled enough original pieces from reliable dealers it becomes easier to sort out the real and the fake. And that's when you start deal hunting on ebay.

And of course don't be afraid to ask for help! It's the best way to learn.

 

[bobinwmass]

Thanks for the help I have many books already but have none on swords can y'all recommend one

Based upon questions I've seen you ask in the past, here are some books I'd recommend.
For belt buckles (not Confederate)

For buttons

Because so many postwar items are being listed as Civil War on ebay, you can check the dates a company was in business

And if you decide to get into Union swords

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

There is a lot of fakes on eBay so buyer beware. Stick to your reference books and buy only from trusted sellers until you have a better insight into what you are looking at.
Also make sure that you go to a few civil war shows so you can see the key features that you are looking for to authenticate an item. You will learn a lot. Even experts sometimes make bad purchases but if you are not in a rush you have better odds of not making costly mistakes. Remember collecting is a lifelong journey and not a race!
Good luck.

 

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

I'm planning on going tothe one in march

 

[Badgercwcollector]

The best thing you did was bring it to the attention of experienced people here before you bought the sword. I have bought many CW items on E-bay but I stay away from certain items ex (buckles and items to good to be true and item's that just don't look right " Take some of that $2G and purchase some books . Peterson's "American Swords" is another good reference book with some nice photo's and descriptions. Ask questions like you did here .Good luck and happy hunting !

 

[Package4]

I'm planning on going tothe one in march

What would that be, there are several?

 

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

The one in Southaven