‘Swords of the American Civil War’ by Richard H. Bezdek. 316 pages. Soft cover in excellent condition.

Many books have explored in depth the firearms, uniforms and paraphernalia carried by combatants in the American Civil War, but the swords carried by Union and Confederate enlisted men and officers have never been completely examined in print – until now. Swords of the American Civil War is a complete photographic survey of all the swords – Union and Confederate – used in the Civil War. It contains more than 700 magnificent photographs showing every type and style of sword, including more than 300 Union and Confederate regulation swords, 45 swords presented to Union and Confederate generals, 40 Union and Confederate presentation-grade swords, 60 Union and Confederate swords engraved with the owners’ names, and 150 Union and Confederate identified presentation swords along with the presentee’s Civil War records. A fantastic chapter on the Civil War activities of Gen. George Armstrong Custer includes more than 30 never-before-published photos of Custer’s presentation sword, dress uniform and personal equipment captured by Confederate cavalry at the Battle of Trevilian Station. The appendix provides additional little-known details on the fate of Custer’s personal effects. This book is an essential reference for all collectors, historians, researchers and students of this fascinating and ill-covered subject.

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