Civil War Swords - Basics For Collectors

If you love artifacts from the American Civil War, chances are that you’ll eventually think about collecting them, especially Civil War swords.  However, finding the real thing can be tricky, since there are many fakes, reproductions, and mislabeled swords out there. Here are some basic facts about swords from this period, to help you sort out the genuine article from all the imitations.

The Civil War may have been fought between 1861 and 1865, but the swords used in it weren’t necessarily made during those years. You can find swords that were carried in the war, but were made as early as the 1830s. This can make finding Civil War swords a little trickier. However, you can be certain of one thing - swords made after 1865 were never used in the war.

Swords were made by a number of manufacturers at the time, including some that we don’t associate with weaponry at all. The Ames Company produced a significant portion of the swords used during the war, and was in business from 1832 until the early 20^th century. Over two hundred thousand swords were made by this company.

Civil War swords made by the Ames Company may bear one of two marks. The founder, Nathan P. Ames, marked his blades with “N. P. Ames”. However, after Nathan died in 1847, his brother changed the mark to read “Ames Mfg. Co.” These stamps may be hard to read, and at least ten different variations were used over the course of the war.

The second largest producer of cavalry sabers was originally a tool and textile producer. However, once the war started, the company received seven contracts, making a total of more than thirty-seven thousand M1860 sabers. The stamp on these Civil War swords tends to be extremely clear, and only one mark style is used.

Christopher Roby was another producer of the M1860 saber, making around thirty-two thousand of these Civil War swords. In addition to the cavalry saber, this company also made musician’s swords, NCO swords and light artillery swords. Marks on these swords vary between the early 1861 variety and later Civil War swords, which had a more complicated stamp.

Sabers made by Roby have an extra two turns of wire on the grip, making them easy to identify if the marks are still present, but mistakable for the M1840 sword if the marks have been worn off. Like many other manufacturers, Roby was prolific, but business disappeared after the war.

Another very common producer of Civil War swords was Emerson and Silver, another company that produced with enthusiasm for the duration of the war, then disappeared. The company made primarily sabers, but other Civil War swords were produced as well, including NCO and musicians swords. Only two marks were used over the course of the war, making these swords a little easier to identify than some.

A manufacturer you might not expect is Tiffany & Co. The same company we associate with fine glassware and jewelry is also responsible for presentation grade Civil War swords for officers, and two special types of cavalry saber unique to Tiffany. These sabers resemble other swords in production at the time, but have unique hilts.

These are only a few of the major manufacturers you can expect to see as producers of Civil War swords. Your searches may also turn up plenty of minor companies, which produced one or two thousand blades, then disappeared. The key is researching the sword well before you buy, to make sure you know whether you’re getting a real antique, or a reproduction.

Civil war antiques turn into a thriving business

How do you recall the heroic acts of men & women who gave their lives in times of war? Some people visit some of the historical sites and museums all over the United States. Close by are establishments that showcase Civil War antiques and sell replicas and reenactor clothing.

Civil war relics are catching the eye of avid collectors. There’s a wide assortment of civil war antiques ranging from guns, swords, knives, uniforms, plates & buckles, helmets, buttons, leathergoods, and many more. Buying and selling Civil War antiques and relics (which may be dug or not) is a thriving business which civil war relic shop owners can only describe as exciting and promising.  Some of the intriguing weaponry may also be found in certain online sites.  One site suggests that while there may be no licenses required to own the pre-1898 weapons, it is best to exhibit good judgment and common sense in the handling of the Civil War antiques. Another site, an online magazine, advocates responsible digging and collecting. Product reviews and photos of excavated artifacts and Civil War antiques like buttons and old coins generate interest.

Some authentic relics and other military antiquities have been recovered from private property with the owners’ permission. There are also existing non-profit institutions like the Civil War Antiques Preservation Society which conducts research, validation/authentication, and procurement of Civil War artifacts. It is among the groups that can assist individuals considering to sell their Civil War antiques.