In the decade before the Civil War Centennial, interest in Civil War weapons increased resulting in a premium on Confederate weapons. This resulted in some, yet to be identified, opportunists creating fake Confederate swords. These were not copies as often seen today, but forgeries intended to and which likely did, deceive a purchaser. This example is a College Hill Arsenal Cavalry Officer’s sword. The blade is marked with a diamond shaped cluster of stars and 1861. It has been “aged” to suggest honest wear and secreting after the disarmament. At the time, there were no comprehensive references and the few books on the subject were line illustrated providing no useful information on which a judgement of authenticity could be made. A curiosity in the history of sword collecting and a substantial stand in for the five figure original.
