Have you ever been surfing e-bay looking for an authentic Confederate Civil War relic?  Have you ever clicked on an auction claiming to be of a Confederate item, and you end up scratching your head because the item wasn't?  Join the club!  Over 1/2 of the listings of "Confederate" relics on e-bay are mislisted, or non-descript items that have little or no relation to a Civil War soldier.

Below is a list of what items become "Confederate:"

1) Anything that looks old

2) Anything that looks crude or homemade

3) Any sword or knife that looks blacksmith made

4) Any antique tool like a shovel or pick

5) Any antique bought in an antique store in any Southern state

6) Any old or antique item found in a barn, yardsale, auction, flea market, or attic in a Southern state

7) Any weapon imported from 1800 to 1865, and some up to World War I

I know the above list looks like a joke, but it isn't.  Sellers call any and all unknown or non-descript antique Confederate because Confederate items bring a premium price. 

The old tote bag above was listed as a probable Confederate item.  I know, I know its like a joke, but people REALLY list stuff like this.

This Model 1872 cavalry saber was listed as Confederate as well.  Not only is it NOT Confederate, it was made seven years AFTER the Civil War. 

At the end of the day, it is really YOUR job as a buyer to know real Confederate relics.  Sellers are not as accountable in my opinion.  They will always lean towards an item being Confederate in hopes to make a bigger profit, but they can't fool you if you learn what you are buying.Many French swords are just chalked up as Confederate because they are imports and sellers assume ALL imports were Southern.  And that is a BIG pitfall on buying edged weapons on e-bay.  Anyhting not marked US is labelled Confederate by the seller, or has the word "Confederate?" with a question mark.  It comes down to you as the buyer knowing the difference.

This is a 1831 model French artillery short sword.  It isn't Confederate, but it will listed as Confederate often enough on e-bay.

This guide is not going to do much more than scratch the surface, but it is designed in hopes it will make you pause and think before you make your next Confederate purchase.  You have to know that many dealers toss the word in a description just to make money.  If you are new in Civil War relic collecting, Confederate items are 10 times more valuable than Union.  A US buckle in fantastic shape, and maker marked is worth up to $400.  A Confederate buckle in similar shape starts at over $2000 and can go as high as $20,000 if it is rare enough.  Be aware that some sellers just aren't sure of what they are listing, and aren't sure how to look an item up online.  Always give the seller a chance to do the right thing before you accuse them of TRYING to deceive you.  Honest mistakes DO happen.  If a seller gets evasive about why he is calling an item Confederate, or if the seller becomes rude...then it is time to alert others that this seller is attempting to trick buyers with a false Confederate provenance.  GOOGLE American Relic Hunters and enter their "e-bay Fakes Forum."  There is a list there of sellers that sell fakes and misrepresented items called the HALL OF SHAME.  Always see if YOUR seller is on that list.  If he is...RUN!!!!!!!!!! Once we all get on the same page, relic selling and buying on e-bay will get better.