General Shelby led his Missouri volunteers on the longest cavalry raid of the War Between the States. From September 22, 1863, to November 3 of the same year, Shelby's "Iron Brigade" traveled fifteen hundred miles, inflicted more than a thousand casualties, and captured or destroyed $2 million worth of Union property. When the Confederacy fell, this "undefeated rebel" refused to surrender and took his command to Mexico.

The Civil War fascinates collectors, re-enactors, and conservatives because of its unique place at the dawn of modern warfare. The years 1861-65 saw the gallant Southern patriot wielding traditional weapons, in defense of his home and traditional way of life, in a finally hopeless battle against the war machine of the fully industrialized North. The slashing frontier style of fighting employed by General Shelby's cavalry is reminiscent of the daring exploits of the patriots who won our independence from Britain. The steel broadswords Shelby's men used are the legitimate descendants of the weapons that had been the emblems of manhood (and chivalric virtue) in the West from medieval times. But the Civil War was the last American war in which weapons like these were essential to a warrior's gear.

This sword is no lightweight stage prop, or flimsy Hollywood reproduction. It is an exact replica of the sword General Shelby carried into battle.

The blade was forged of carbonized steel in the same process and with the same materials used to make weapons actually carried into battle in the Civil War. The steel blade is etched on both sides with scrollwork and the letters "C.S.A." The grip is of wrapped leather bound with twisted brass wire; the brass handguard is engraved, with "C.S." worked into the grip. The sheath is black-finished steel, with brass finishings, including rings by which it can be hung from a wall. The sword and scabbard together weigh three and a half pounds; the sword itself is more than 40 inches long. This is a real weapon, and a lethal one once it is sharpened, as it can be after delivery (we ship the sword with dull edges, for safety).

To see this sword is to realize how a crafted object can be at the same time beautiful and truly masculine. To pull it from its scabbard and lift its weight is to feel not only the thrill but also the heavy responsibility of manhood in a nobler era.

This saber features a polished, slightly curved, high-tempered carbon steel blade. The handle is leather wrapped with twisted brass wire over the leather, and the scabbard is polished steel.

During the American Civil War, weapons on the battlefield saw a number of advances. The breech loading rifle, repeating rifles, and the Gatling gun to name a few. However, edged weapons were still wielded on the fired with deadly effect. The most widely used edge weapon was the sword. It came in a variety of styles, but the most popular was the U.S. 1860 Light Cavalry Saber. It was much lighter than the U.S. 1840 Heavy Dragoon Saber, also known as the "wrist breaker" and was used extensively throughout the Civil War.

Our Civil War swords are made using the same process and materials as the swords that were used in battle. The blade is made of carbon steel, and the handle is leather wrapped with twisted brass wire over the leather. But you really have experience this sword for yourself. You have to grip the leather handle, draw the sword out of it scabbard, and lift sword in the air to experience the full impact one of these marvelous weapons.