Civil War Sword

jdbrowne

October 21, 2002 02:48

I'd like to see if anyone knows some basics on a sword that was supposedly from the Civil War. My Grandmother told me that it belonged to a distant Uncle. I've been trying to clean it up a bit and found that it has some ornate work, on the blade (including an eagle, w/ the phrase "E PLURIBUS UNUM" underneat). The blade is slightly bent, from the middle to the tip (maybe from use in the war). The original handle (the wrapping) is gone and I was told my Grandfather (a woodworker) put in a piece of roughly shaped wood. The brass handguard has the letters "US" in it. Does anyone have any "Do's & Don'ts" regarding restoration or any idea of value? Thank you.

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  nmyers

  October 21, 2002 04:11

  I can't identify it.
  
  However, I can advise STOP trying to clean it. The more you "restore" it, the more value it will lose.
  
  Neal

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  Sunray

  October 21, 2002 10:51

  Yep, any "restoration" will detract from the value. Since you've already "cleaned" it a bit it's not going to be worth as much as if you had left it alone. There are so many repos and outright fakes of US Civil War/Indian Wars stuff that without taking it to a recognized dealer of said stuff it's impossible to tell what it is or what it may be worth.

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  Iroquois Scout

  October 21, 2002 19:50

  With out seeing some pictures it is impossible to tell if your sword is from the Civil War or not. However, with etching on the blade and US in the half basket of the guard, it could be a foot officer's sword.

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  jdbrowne

  October 22, 2002 00:52

  Thank you, for the heads-up. Do any of you have an idea of a "recognized dealer," in the No. CA area?

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