There are some pretty good fake CS swords floating around and if yours is authentic, it is worth taking it somewhere to have it looked at. Don't take it to your local gun shop or gun show. Find an expert on CS swords which is pretty easy to do in Va. but may not be elsewhere in the US.

As far as the Pawn shop show, the saber in question was misidentified on the show as a Calvary saber. It was actually an Artillery saber and that was a mistake that shouldn't have happened. Even in Hollywood they have access to books.