GUEST: I purchased this at an auction sale from a local collector. I paid about $200. I really don't know anything except that it had a tag on that said, "War of 1812."

APPRAISER: Well, it's actually not the War of 1812. It is closer to somewhere around the 1830s, 1840s. It's a militia officer's sword. This has the hallmarks of being a sword that was probably made in continental Europe. It's an American eagle-headed sword. And what I found remarkable about it is its condition. Because here, the horn grip, normally you find these chipped and frayed, and it has most of the original gilding on both the scabbard and the hilt. Also remarkable is this chain, which was generally pretty fragile. Also, you can clearly see the etching on the blade. I think at auction, it would probably fetch $1,000 to $1,500.

GUEST: Okay, great. Super.