William J. McElroy Civil War Sword
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GUEST:
I brought what I believe is a Confederate sword. My grandfather said it's been passed down from generation to generation. But I honestly think it's a replica.
I don't know if they won it at a state fair, you got one free when you buy a used car... I don't know, but I'm here to see if it's authentic or not.
APPRAISER:
What makes you think it's a replica?
GUEST:
It's this coloring to it. It doesn't seem to be right.
APPRAISER:
Well, that coloring is 150 years-worth of beauty.
(laughing)
APPRAISER:
This one is an original one.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
And it was made by a firm in Macon, Georgia. William J. McElroy made swords for the Confederacy, and if you had enough money, you could actually go in and he would make you a specific sword.
GUEST:
Oh.
APPRAISER:
One reason people think these are reproductions is because of how vividly clear the etching is. Because if you notice, it's artistic.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
All the way down. It's beautifully done. He was one of the best in the
business. If we turn this sword over, there's something that might give us a clue as to where this sword came into your family's possession. It says, "J. Knight, Junior"--J-U-N.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
That's the soldier's name that bought it and had his name engraved into the blade.
GUEST:
Really?
APPRAISER:
He was with the Seventh Mississippi Infantry Battalion. Each company had their own little nickname, and they were the Beauregard Defenders.
And they were very heavily engaged at Vicksburg.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
They were also heavily engaged throughout the war. They fought at Franklin, which was one of the most fierce days of battle during the Civil War. And they lost huge quantities of soldiers. This guy was lucky enough to make it all the way through the war, served four years, went home, and died as an old man in 1893.
GUEST:
Really?
APPRAISER:
The good thing is, you can trace those battles with your ancestor, and you can trace his battles, and see where they crossed paths.
GUEST:
Wow.
APPRAISER:
And every so often, you'll be able to line all those up and it'll come together.
GUEST:
That's amazing.
APPRAISER:
Don't try to clean it, because it's such a beautiful sword. I love that patina. We have the original grip and wire. The scabbard was made of leather and brass and they break very easily. And that's why it's probably missing. Have you ever thought about what the sword might be worth?
GUEST:
No. Like I said, I thought it was fake.
APPRAISER:
Well, then the news should be very good.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
The sword today would retail for about $10,000.
GUEST:
Really? Wow. I'm glad I didn't try to recycle it or something.
APPRAISER:
Me too. (laughing)
GUEST:
I'd love to do what you said and trace their interactions.
APPRAISER:
You didn't know you were going to get homework today, did you?
GUEST:
No, I didn't, and I appreciate it.
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