Real confederate sword?

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

I was offered this sword from a guy who's great grandfather was a slave and received this sword from his master after he was freed or that's what I am told. What does it look like to y'all?

 

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

I was offered this for really cheap also

 

[UCVRelics]

It's a POS leave it alone as the story doesn't hold water and I had hoped you had learned a lesson on the last one

 

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

Yep I did learn I was just interested by the story

 

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

I was just making sure it wasn't a confederate made sword

 

[Bradley]

I was offered this sword from a guy who's great grandfather was a slave and received this sword from his master after he was freed or that's what I am told. What does it look like to y'all?

View attachment 442770

I don't know anything about relics but that has to be one of the most ridiculous backstories I have ever heard. He should have told you it was captured at Pickett's Charge—that's more believable.

 

[bayonet]

It's a POS leave it alone as the story doesn't hold water and I had hoped you had learned a lesson on the last one

and a lesson on the one before that and the one before that and so on into Infinity

 

[CyleKostello]

Just some more unsolicited advance. If a story sounds too good/fantastic to be true it often is. If you're buying an item for the story that story better be ironclad. Provenance/a story that can't be supported with evidence is borderline worthless

Eg: I bought a 19th Mass. badge a while back that was verbally attributed to a Corp. in the regiment. I only purchased it because it was originally part of a pair with a named badge (seller split them up) but luckily the seller still had photos and a description of the named badge.

Long story short, verbal provenance isn't worth much unless you can back it up.

 

[OldSarge79]

So, we all know what that sword isn't.

Now, can anyone tell this young man what it is?
I suspect that more detailed photos will be needed.

 

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

Now, can anyone tell this young man what it is?
I suspect that more detailed photos will be needed.

Thank you that's what I wanted to k ow in the first place. I didn't believe the story, why would a confederate give his sword to a slave?

 

[UCVRelics]

So, we all know what that sword isn't.

Now, can anyone tell this young man what it is?
I suspect that more detailed photos will be needed.

I already told him what it was, a POS

 

[OldSarge79]

Oh, okay.
What is a POS?

 

[RedRover]

Some of these books would be a good start toward recognizing period swords, etc. Some of these books are expensive, but far cheaper than getting ripped off.

Amazon.com: Echoes of Glory: CSA Arms etc.

Amazon.com: Echoes of Glory: USA Arms, etc.

Amazon.com: Handbook of CSA swords

Amazon.com: Bezedek, Civil war Swords...

Amazon.com: Thillman: Army Swords...

 

[bayonet]

Oh, okay.
What is a POS?

POS is "Piece of S" I'll let you use your imagination as to what comes after the Capital S. It looks like one of those tourist trap garbage swords made in India.

 

[OldSarge79]

POS is "Piece of S" I'll let you use your imagination as to what comes after the Capital S. It looks like one of those tourist trap garbage swords made in India.

Thanks.....NOW I undersatand.

 

[R. Porter]

My first impression of the image was that it was made from sheet metal and that it was a decorative piece that could have been picked up at Pier 1 for $10.00 if it was still in business. Years ago I did just that except the blade was pretty heavy (not sheet metal). I have always stayed away from Confederate swords because I don't know enough about what real Confederate swords look like. There are a number of variations, they don't look as well-made as Union swords, but they are better made than the reproduction swords that are artificially aged to look old. There are some tell-tale clues to tip you off. If you can't get to some museums fairly often to develop your mental picture of Confederate swords you will always be at a disadvantage. Civil War shows may help, but you could still be looking at a fake being sold by a dishonest dealer. One way to approach Confederate swords is to get to know what is not Confederate, which may be easier. Books are an important resource no matter how you approach it.

Considering how difficult it is to determine what is Confederate with only pictures in books to go buy, I've been wondering about something even more obscure; what would swords and knives look like that were made by slave and free blacksmiths to use in slave revolts? I suspect that recognition of those blades would require some very solid documentation.

When you are talking about non-standard items without much of a body of documentation you really have to do your homework and you shouldn't make snap decisions until you already have the background necessary.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

"Confererate" Swords, "Bowies" and even numbered bayonets are a minefield.

Look at every one you can get to see, AFTER you've bought a few books on the subject, and always treat the "story" as fiction until it's proven other wise; period photos, engraving, sales receipts, a KNOWN model from known makers, etc.

It took more than 50 years to gather my accumulation of CS blades, but I was fortunate to have been around in the 60's when they were more plentiful and the "old guys" {collectors, authors, dealers} were still around.

BUY the SWORD, NOT the STORY ! and you'll end up with something like this

Maybe even a Generals' or two...

View attachment 443619

 

[Trooper "D"]

"Confererate" Swords, "Bowies" and even numbered bayonets are a minefield.

Look at every one you can get to see, AFTER you've bought a few books on the subject, and always treat the "story" as fiction until it's proven other wise; period photos, engraving, sales receipts, a KNOWN model from known makers, etc.

It took more than 50 years to gather my accumulation of CS blades, but I was fortunate to have been around in the 60's when they were more plentiful and the "old guys" {collectors, authors, dealers} were still around.

BUY the SWORD, NOT the STORY ! and you'll end up with something like this

View attachment 443611
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View attachment 443614
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Maybe even a Generals' or two...

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Nice collection!

 

[lelliott19]

"Confererate" Swords, "Bowies" and even numbered bayonets are a minefield.

Look at every one you can get to see, AFTER you've bought a few books on the subject, and always treat the "story" as fiction until it's proven other wise; period photos, engraving, sales receipts, a KNOWN model from known makers, etc.

It took more than 50 years to gather my accumulation of CS blades, but I was fortunate to have been around in the 60's when they were more plentiful and the "old guys" {collectors, authors, dealers} were still around.

BUY the SWORD, NOT the STORY ! and you'll end up with something like this

View attachment 443611
View attachment 443612

View attachment 443614
View attachment 443616

Maybe even a Generals' or two...

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View attachment 443619

View attachment 443615

Wow! I am speechless. Absolutely amazing.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

"Confererate" Swords, "Bowies" and even numbered bayonets are a minefield.

Look at every one you can get to see, AFTER you've bought a few books on the subject, and always treat the "story" as fiction until it's proven other wise; period photos, engraving, sales receipts, a KNOWN model from known makers, etc.

It took more than 50 years to gather my accumulation of CS blades, but I was fortunate to have been around in the 60's when they were more plentiful and the "old guys" {collectors, authors, dealers} were still around.

BUY the SWORD, NOT the STORY ! and you'll end up with something like this

View attachment 443611
View attachment 443612

View attachment 443614
View attachment 443616

Maybe even a Generals' or two...

View attachment 443617
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View attachment 443619

View attachment 443615

Wow! What an amazing display!!
I could spend a whole day just looking at a collection like that!