RICK: Hey.
How can I help you?
WILLIAM: Good afternoon.
A Calvary sword.
WILLIAM: Civil War Officer's sword model 1860.
Belonged to Colonel Bassett.
RICK: This is pretty cool.
It was pretty cool.
[laughs]
WILLIAM: I'm selling a model 1860 Officer's Civil War sword.
I found the sword up around Yosemite.
The sword is in beat up condition considering
it went through 22 battles.
I'm selling the sword because my wife wanted a new kitchen.
And my wife should get what she wants.
RICK: What's his name, again?
WILLIAM: Bassett.
RICK: OK.
Do you know much about this?
WILLIAM: Colonel Bassett came into the Civil War as a Captain
into the 17th regiment.
One of the most highly decorated officers
because he went in as Captain, came out as a Brev General,
went through 22 skirmishes and battles, and was
there at Lee's surrender.
There is no other sword that's seen as much battle
as this sword has seen.
RICK: OK.
What do you what to do with this?
I'm going to sell it.
And how much do you want for it?
20 grand.
20 Grand.
You mind if I have someone look at this?
No.
I would actually welcome it. - All right.
I will be right back.
Hang out.
WILLIAM: OK.
It is always nice to have an expert look at it.
I'm excited to listen to what he has to say.
It's history.
And that's what excites me, is to relive
the history of what these guys went
through during the Civil War.
RICK: The problem is I don't know if it was used in battle.
And I know nothing about this Bassett guy.
So I'm bringing in the smartest guy I know because he's
always got the answers.
This is the sword of the Colonel that he
says was later a General. - OK.
This is the Colonel Bassett that you called me about?
Yes.
That is the guy, Colonel Bassett.
I've never heard of him.
MARK HALL-PATTON: You know, one of the things about the Civil
War is there were so many men involved
that a lot of officers, sort of, drop off the radar.
You know, you hear about the real big name ones.
And you hear the ones that got some kind of really cool name--
Stonewall Jackson, or something like that.
Isaac Bassett-- there is no cool name there.
I'm curious-- what is your concern about it?
It is, obviously, a Civil War sword.
No, I mean, it's got a list of his battles right here.
MARK HALL-PATTON: Oh, really?
RICK: It's got his name engraved on it.
MARK HALL-PATTON: It would have been
extremely unusual for Bassett to have this done.
You didn't engrave your own sword.
- Correct. - People would give them to you.
Given that this is Colonel Bassett,
and it's ending it with Gettysburg,
that makes sense because he made Colonel in May of 1863.
Gettysburg is July of 1863.
So this was probably given to him as a presentation piece.
Everything fits.
Everything's right.
And this is an absolutely original
Civil War presentation sword.
And you don't normally find those.
RICK: I mean, he's saying that it's-- this
was broken off in battle.
And I don't think there's any way to prove that.
MARK HALL-PATTON: No.
Because if this was done from something hitting it,
you would see some sign of bending.
It looks to me like it's just a snap.
My guess is if something like this
had actually been broken in battle,
there'd be a record of it.
He would have made sure of that. RICK: OK.
You gave me all the information I need and more.
[laughs]
I always try.
RICK: You're the best, man.
Good to see you.
Very good to meet you. - Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Unfortunately, the sword is in terrible condition
because if it was in good shape, you'd
have people lining up around the block that would want this.
RICK: All right.
I'll tell you right now, if this thing was
in beautiful condition, I'd offer you $10,000 for it
because you have a Civil War General sword.
But it's just-- the break in it just detracts so much.
In this shape, I'll offer you $2,500.
WILLIAM: No.
I'm just going-- I'll have to decline that.
RICK: OK.
I mean, what's your best price?
Yeah, we're too far apart.
I completely understand.
But thanks for bringing it in, man.
I really appreciate it.
I really much appreciate you looking at it.
OK.
WILLIAM: The expert brought up two or three facts
that I was totally unaware of.
I think I'm gonna continue coming
up with some more research.
And then I'll probably put it back up for sale.