10 Valuable Civil War Weapons That Fetched High Prices at Auction
Some Civil War weapons were mass-produced, while others were painstakingly crafted for high-ranking officers. But today, the rarest and most well-preserved examples fetch thousands at auction — not just for their historical significance, but also for their craftsmanship and the stories they carry. Here are the most valuable Civil War weapons we found after scouring the web.
1. Confederate Read & Watson Percussion Rifle
Sold for: $11,000
Only 900 of these percussion rifles — used by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War — were manufactured, making them extremely rare (especially in good condition) today. This particular gun’s rarity, along with the initials carved on the right side of the stock, likely inspired its $11,000 hammer price.
2. Captured Georgia Officer’s Sword
Sold for: $10,000
This Civil War relic, taken from Captain Caleb P. Bowen during the 1864 Battle of Nashville, has intricate embellishments, personalized carvings, and a compelling backstory.
3. Confederate Artillery Sword
Sold for: $7,500
This blade might give off “Sword in the Stone” vibes, but it’s not medieval. Instead, this properly stamped sword is a Confederate artillery sword from the Civil War.
4. Confederate John Brown Raid Pike
Sold for: $6,500
With a 9 1/2 inch blade and an ultra-long handle (contributing to the total size of 81 1/8 inches), this pike is one of the more primeval-looking Civil War weapons that evokes mental images of war cries and brutal battles.
5. General Officers’ Sword
Sold for: $6,000
Now we’re getting fancy! Officers’ swords during the Civil War were more upscale than the standard blades of the period. This double-edged blade includes a gilt brass hilt and scabbard, adding to its ornate appeal.
6. Presentation Sword & Scabbard
Sold for: $5,000
This incredible, engraved sword with a ruby-eyed eagle carving belonged to Captain J. J. Sherwood of the 93rd New York. Sherwood served throughout the entire Civil War and was wounded in the Wilderness Battle in 1864.
7. Bullet Which Nearly Killed Soldier
Sold for: $4,500
Alright, so this isn’t technically a Civil War weapon, but it came out of one, so that’s got to count for something, right? Turns out, it’s $4,500 worth of somethings.
8. Confederate Cavalry Sabre
Sold for: $2,500
No, not like Luke’s, Darth’s, or Obi-Wan’s. This Civil War sabre doesn’t come equipped with a fluorescent, chop-your-arm-off laser, but instead has a straight blade and a leather sheath and handle. It’s definitely not as flashy as the ones in the Galactic Civil War.
9. Springfield Model 1864 Musket
Sold for: $1,700
Springfield Muskets were the muskets of the Civil War, weighing nine pounds with a 40-inch barrel and the ability to accurately shoot at least 200 yards away.
10. Confederate Fighting Knife Dagger
Sold for: $800
For up-close-and-personal combat, this dagger was handy (get it?) during the Civil War.