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the hottest collectible, the next year canteens or buckles may be popular. The best advice available on collecting anything is this - only collect what isn't being made anymore and can't be made again. There will never be another factory that can make an authentic 1863 Light Cavalry saber during the Civil War. The Ames Manufacturing Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts is closed forever.

Civil War artifacts have something for everyone, in every price range. As with other collectibles, the exciting part is the actual hunt for the next hidden treasure, whether it lies buried in an unknown Confederate camp or at the bottom of Aunt Hilda's trunk. There are Civil War Shows throughout the country at all times of the year where relics can be found in a concentrated area and save the serious collector time. Some Civil War Artifact shows even specialize in a particular item, such as firearms or edged weapons.

It is now much easier to research Civil War era artifacts. The Internet is an invaluable tool, plus there are hundreds of reference books specializing in one particular relic, such as buttons or general knowledge books, with hundreds of authentic relics of the Civil War period, usually including photographs and close ups of manufacturers' stamps or cartouches.

The most valued type of artifact is the one that can be identified or has what's known in the antique business as provenance. This can be anything from a soldier's initials and corps insignia carved into a rifle stock, to an old photograph (known in the Civil War business as a CDV or tintype) of someone's great-grandfather wearing the uniform with the same bullet hole in the trousers that you are holding in your hands.

A word of caution must be mentioned for the novice Civil War artifact collector. Unfortunately, there are fraudulent dealers. The best way to avoid being duped is to buy only from a dealer known to you personally or through good referrals. Building upon your personal knowledge base in a particular genre will also help avoid being the victim of an unscrupulous dealer. When starting out keep in mind the old adage, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is

One last piece of advice is this - collect only what you enjoy. You will be spending your hard-earned money searching for the one special saber or canteen to complete your collection. Love what you collect! Most Civil War collectors begin with one or two different artifacts, such as cartridge boxes or canteens, and slowly enlarge the scope of their collections to include many different items. Others concentrate on one specific kind of relic, for example, having one of each kind of saber made during the Civil War years.

As collections enlarge and the Civil War collector gains more experience, some may sell and trade their relics, usually upgrading to rarer or higher quality artifacts. Whatever artifact you chose, make sure it's something you enjoy learning about and sharing your knowledge. The thrill of the hunt is on!

Learn more about this author, Melanie Thomas.
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