Counterfeit Swords masquerading as relics from the American Civil War

In a recent turn of events, a Civil War sword, claimed to be a family heirloom by a gentleman named Winston, has come under scrutiny. John Sexton, an accredited member of various appraiser organizations and an expert on Civil War memorabilia, has shed light on the authenticity of the sword.

Winston, who hails from Kentucky, asserted that the sword originally belonged to his great-great-grandfather, a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War. However, extensive research could not confirm the identity of his grandfather or his military status.

Upon closer inspection, Sexton discovered that the sword style and etchings were not indicative of an old Civil War item. Furthermore, the sword did not bear the "McElroy" markings, which are often found on original Confederate officer's swords. This led Sexton to suspect that either Winston is lying or someone had swapped the real family sword with the one in question.

Interestingly, the same reproduction Civil War sword with etchings, labeled as a copy, can be purchased for $90 on the website www.ww2gear.com. Conversely, an original Confederate officer's sword with an etched blade costs over $10,000.

In a surprising turn of events, Winston returned the money after speaking to John Sexton, suggesting a possibility of honesty. This incident echoes other scams involving old conmen and rare Civil War items that Sexton has encountered in his career.

For those who wish to verify the authenticity of their own Civil War items, John Sexton's contact information is provided: he can be reached at 770-329-4984. To have your item appraised, simply send a photo and a description to [email protected].

In conclusion, while the story of Winston's Civil War sword may have been largely false, it serves as a reminder to exercise caution when dealing with historical artifacts and to seek the expertise of professionals like John Sexton when in doubt.