Hi Ronald

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

The Citadel (South Carolina Military Academy)was founded in 1842 . The “Arsenal Academy” in Columbia (which was part of the same institution) was in operation and merged into the overall academy system. A guide to 19th-century Citadel uniforms (from The Citadel’s library - library.citadel.edu) covers the period “from the founding … in 1843 to 1900." but does not explicitly identify a single contracted sword manufacturer for the 1840s cadet swords.

These swords are more rare than ones from West Point, which usually sell in the low three figures (up to $500) at auction UNLESS they have history to a recognized person of historical importance and/or were present at a significant historical event.

I've looked online and can find no reference to an AJR Longstreet who went to the Citadel but the records may be incomplete (and perhaps I could find out more if I knew what some of those initials stood for).

If a garden-variety West Point sword of comparable vintage is worth as much as $500 at auction, a rarer sword from The Citadel would be at least double that amount, possibly more. More value could be assigned pending information that might shed some light on who AJR Longstreet was.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Pre-Civil War military academy dress sword
unattributed maker, for the Citadel, dated 1842
With Citadel's palmetto insignia on the handle; the blade engraved "AJR Longstreet."
overall 36 inches in length.
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition.
PROVENANCE: Acquired at a garage or yard sale
$ 1000-1500*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia