Confederate Presentation and Inscribed Swords and Revolvers

xviii, 368, [2] pages. Illustrations, According to Maker; Procedures of Production: Swords, Revolvers, Knives; Presentation; Inscribed; Associated' Knives; Index According to Combatant. Slight DJ wear. Some pages are in a multi-column format. This volume is a study of Confederate swords, revolvers and knives that are renown because of their association with those who bore them through the greatest struggle our nation has ever known. Great reference work on CSA weapons. Daniel Hartzler developed a lifelong interest in American weaponry of the 18th and 19th centuries and has written 20 books, mostly on American weapons. In one room in his house, he has more than 100 rifles and pistols and 100 swords, all with a connection to Maryland. "I got my first musket when I was 15," said Hartzler, who owns the Hartzler Funeral Homes in Libertytown, Union Bridge, New Windsor and Woodsboro. "My father bought it from an antique dealer in Frederick. I learned how to shoot it. That got me turned on." He bought his first sword for $30. It belonged to a Civil War soldier. "It had the man's name on it, Capt. Charles Shade," Hartzler said. "I did research on him." But his main interest is in weapons, everything from muskets to long rifles, flintlocks and single shot pistols, various types of swords and tomahawks. His research has taken him all over the country and to Canada. He's visited some Native American villages. When he finds a weapon, Hartzler will look to see whose name is on it and dig into its history. "I want to find out where the master craftsman was from, who it belonged to, why he had it", he said. Presentation swords are swords that were usually presented to officers out of respect and recognition of service or deed. Many were presented from donations taken up by soldiers of the rank and file serving under them (in gratitude for not getting them killed) or family, relatives, and friends. Rare presentation swords would include those presented by high office or Congress. Amongst the presentation swords highly prized by collectors are those constructed from high grade materials and those exhibiting superior craftsmanship and attention to detail. One can generally expect swords presented to officers wounded or killed on the battlefield to command a premium, especially those swords presented to officers executing critical roles in battles, those bestowed with the medal of honor or engraved with battle honors and of other historical significance. Any of these additional attributes related to the sword will increase the dollar amount one might expect to pay. …