Need help with figuring out if my sword is CSA or B. Douglas

[RobertW]

I have been told my sword is a Froelich CSA sword but then a few others have said it is a B. Douglas. Is it all that critical? It seems that the jury is still out on the details. Is there a reference book? Any help would be appreciated. Bob

 

[horseclover]

Welcome aboard

A picture or few would help. The Froelich blades are more refined, likely because he mounted a lot of imported blades. The Douglas&Co blades are (from what I know) were wider and stubbier looking with domestically made blades. Froelich was an artist, in a sense with continental (Prussian) roots vs the push became shove of CSA production.

Kevin Hoffman of Civil War Preservations would be one to touch base with. I can think of others but he is good with these.

Some would prefer to own one or another maker's example (or both) but they range at about the same selling prices. The Douglas is scarcer than the first model Froelich (which I am assuming we are discussing). There are other "Dog River" cavalry swords that are quite like both makers but the blades, as, mentioned, should distinguish between the Douglas vs Froelich but not necessarily from other possibilities with umarked swords always quite questionable.

CSA swords are not at all my study and I avoid even considering one but I have read some. You could also run this up the flagpole at www.swordforum.com and http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/

Raphael at Shiloh Relics another good CSA egg poacher as are John Spicer at Champion Hill, Dave at Arizona Swords, Harry Ridgeway at Relicman.

Cheers

GC
Cheers