The tag on this U.S. Army Civil War battle sword handle says it was taken from a Union soldier killed by Aaron B. Burr on July 24, 1864. It is part of a large collection of Civil War, period correct, and World War II items that will be auctioned off at the Salem Elks Hall beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. The event is free and the public is welcome. The scabbard that goes with this Civil War relic has these words scratched onto it: Taken offfrom (sic) a Yank I shot dead Aaron B Burr July 24 1864. (Contributed photo)

SALEM — Auctioneer Harry Hofmeister said he’s “never done anything in 26 years of this magnitude, nor the quality.”

Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Salem Elks Hall at 824 E. State St., Hofmeister’s auctioneering firm will be placing hundreds of Civil War and World War II items on the auction block.

The event is free and open to the public.

Hofmeister said he’s received inquiries from Florida, South Carolina and Georgia and people said they will be driving up from there.

There will be World War II items, but Hofmeister said, “mostly, 90 percent is Civil War and 90 percent is period original.”

The auctionzip.com website has over 400 photos of items up for auction, Hofmeister said and that includes more than 30 uniforms, 13 swords, 16 revolvers from the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) and other medals, military artifacts, a Ulysses S. Grant land grant, a President William McKinley imperial photograph, and other rare collectibles and accouterments.

There are no rifles, Hofmeister said and noted the McKinley photograph is original and “in perfect condition.”

Hofmeister said, “One guy from South Carolina said he’d never seen this much quality stuff in one location.”

A couple of dealers from Pittsburgh attended one of Hofmeister’s auctions and the connection was made to put together the Civil War and WWII auction with him.

“It’s an unbelievable collection, very rare guns, swords and uniforms,” he said, “it’s probably 90 percent Union army, very little Confederate stuff.”

He said the guns were in the $1,000 to $5,000 each range while the swords could start at around $1,000 apiece.

“The public decides the price by what they’re willing to pay,” Hofmeister said, “I have some very rare items.

“This is pretty cool stuff.”

One sword is tagged “US DR 1863” and has the words, “Taken offfrom (sic) a Yank I shot dead Aaron B Burr July 24 1864” inelegantly scratched onto the side of the gray-tin scabbard.

Some World War II items include, a large German youth flag; WW II German iron cross; German national flag; mail bag panel; WW II German dress bayonet; a dress bayonet, Carl Eikorn blade; Model 40 SS helmet with original paint; a WWII helmet excavated in Belgium in 1988; East German helmet from the Cold war; WW II German police helmet badge.

There will be a preview from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, and Hofmeister said security is being provided at the Elks throughout the night.

Another preview will be held from 8 to 10 a.m Saturday before the auction.

Some absentee bids will be accepted, but mostly it will be people coming to bid, he said.

For more information, visit www.hofmeisterrealty.com/auctions or auctionzip.com.

lshields@salemnews.net