Greetings! This week I'm pleased to invite you to an Antique Talk concerning American antique edged weapons with Gettysburg, Pennsylvania auctioneer, historian, and author, Mr. Craig Caba. A collector of Civil War artifacts for 35 years, Craig is a national lecturer at Civil War Roundtable discussions and historical meetings.

Q: Craig, where do you find old swords?

A: Antique shows, shops, auctions, and occasionally in houses.

Q: What makes a sword collectable?

A: Artistic appeal, historic background, condition.

Q: Explain artistic appeal.

A: Form, shape, and decorative embellishment. Swords, just like furniture, architecture, and clothing were designed in vogue with the style of the period. For instance, during the Federal Period(1790-1830) when patriotic enthusiasm ran high, most swords had an eagle-headed handle and fully developed eagles on the hand-guard, blade etching, and scabbard mounts. Many Federal swords were ceremonial and they're light in construction. Civil War swords were made for battle. They reflect the growing industrialism of mid 19th century AmericA: Army regulations called for specific patterns that can be identified in reference books today. Two of the most common swords were long curve-bladed cavalry sabers with simple three branch brass guards, and officer swords with shorter straighter blades embellished with foliage between the branches on the guard. Revolutionary War swords were handmade and vary greatly.

Q: How about Confederate swords?

A: The Rebels carried anything they could find into battle. A few primitive Southern-made swords from small shops can be still be found on the market today; most are expensive in comparison to their Union counterparts.

Q: How does historic background influence a sword's merit?

A: Some pieces can be attributed to the original owner by documents, old photographs, and most importantly, engraved inscriptions on the sword itself. A sword that can be attached to a famous man or one with a distinguished military service record is highly coveted by collectors like myself.

Q: Give me an example.

A: A sword in the collections of the Pennsylvania State Museum has all three elements. It's inscribed on a silver scabbard plate Col. George Wynkoop/7 PennA: Cavalry/from his citizen friends in Pottsville for Meritorious Service/May 7, 1863. Accompanying the sword is an old discolored poster further describing the event and a photograph of the Colonel holding the sword following the ceremony. The sword has other noteworthy features including a gold-plated engraved hilt, a gold and silver scabbard embellished with diamonds, and an eagle etched blade, and it's in mint condition.

Q: What about an old sword with no provenance in semi-beat up condition? Can it still have value?

A: Yes. Over the past 35 years emphasis in certain areas of sword collecting has changed. A growing number of new collectors do not want shiny fancy swords. They want pieces that show battle use. Others prefer swords made by specific makers.

Q: Who were some of the most famous sword makers?

A: Ames of Chicopee Massachusetts, Horstmann of Philadelphia, McElroy of Macon Georgia: Fancy custom made presentation swords were made by Tiffany of New York and Bailey and Company of Philadelphia: Many early swords were marked by the maker.

Q: Can you give us a general feel as to value?

A: A common American pre-1870 sword and scabbard in used condition can still be bought from $200 to $1,000. A favorite reference is The American Sword, By Harold L. Peterson.

Q: Thank you for your insights, Craig.