Another Ebay Scam!!! Fraternal Swords Sold as Civil War Items
While I was hoping that after the Western Costume movie prop sword sales fiasco, we would not have to
endure another misrepresentation of edged weapons on Ebay .... but here is another one that is
beginning to get up a head of steam. This is how it works .... American Fraternal swords are often
etched with the name of the owner on the blade or scabbard. Some dealers are searching Ebay for
these low priced swords which usually go for between $75 and $200, getting the names on the swords,
and then searching CW regimental lists for equivalent naming, and if they find someone with the same
name or initials, then they make the nonexistant and unsupportable connection between the sword and
the CW vet without knowing anything about the true owner of the sword. In the Ebay ad, they put the
provenance forward as if it was verified, when it is not verified, and is in fact just made up. So beware.
There are two dealers doing this now, and selling $140 swords for $600+. I thought the collecting public
was smarter than that. My suggestion to collectors is that any fraternal sword needs to have a family
connection and some other documentation with it in order to be considered associated with a CW vet.
All other associations are spurious.
UPDATE !!!!! It gets worse ... a fellow collector purchased one of these swords that was stated to be
from a "Captain" of a specific regiment in the Civil War. The ad implied that the naming on the sword
had the title Captain in it. When the sword arrived, it was a plain fraternal sword, with just a name.
When the buyer asked about thte Civil War attribution, the seller stated that "The guy I bought it from
said it was from a Civil War guy" and the seller refused to take the sword back or refund any money.
My opinion is that this is just a way to steal money from collectors. Please avoid all sellers who use
these tactics.
Subj: Re: Ebay Scam HEIGHTENS! (Text slightly nodified by me ..)
Mike,
Thought this should be brought to your attention. The Ebay seller you talk of (lets call him "snastiques")
is obviously aware of your editorial, as he is radically updating his form of swindle. Current items are
now often given bogus provenances. Example of deception: item# (deleted), which the seller swears
was purchased from a direct descendent of the original owner in Pennsylvannia. The true origin of this
Ames sword is a Hartford seller, auction# (deleted). This seller is gradually increasing the use of these
new "uncontestable origins" for validating the authenticity of his wares. As you well know, providing fake
histories for an antique item constitutes a major fraud according to the law, not to mention eBay rules.
Although such outright lies will definately burn a novice collector, even someone more seasoned can
easilly be taken. As your site is so very informative and helpful, it would be a great service to the public
if you might be able to do something about this. By the way, do let us know when your book is
completed. Thanks.
Regards,
A.M.
Yes the flow of swords with this seller can be traced by following his purchases, and then watching his
"rebranding" of the items. The original sellers never list any of the information that he attaches to the
pieces after he buys them, making it all too suspect.
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