Replica means modern copy, of any quality.
Let me give you an example of what is available, just on Ebay. There are four swords below. The second one down is a replica cossack shashka, the other three are real.
The top one is a US Naval Officers sword model 1852 with a proof marked Solingen blade.
The second one down is a good replica of a Cossack Shashka.
Third is a Bavarian cavalry saber circa 1880 - 1890, with proof tested solingen blade.
Fourth is a M1907 Puerto Seguro made for the Spanish army by the Spanish national armory - "Artilleria Nacional".
The most expensive sword is the replica Cossack Shashka which cost me about $200 - but, I wanted one so paid the price.
All of the others cost less than $100 (including shipping). They're all genuine, and you don't need to be an expert to tell the difference. Even a photo of the hilt markings is good enough for anyone to judge 99% of the time. In fact, if the fake is good enough to fool you, then it's worth what you're paying anyway.
My trick is to just search using terms like "old sword" or "antique sword" etc, because that indicates the seller doesn't know what he has. I check out the pictures, then go on the Internet and find out what it is before bidding, and I only bid in the last few seconds of an auction. I rarely pay more than $100 for a sword.
The best buys are often Puerto Seguro's, which are just great fighting swords! But, there are so many cheap "Toledo" replica swords around that these swords get lumped in with those and nobody bids.
Anyway - good hunting. Real fighting swords with historical significance are out there if you want to hunt them down.
