Replica of the Sword of Gryffindor

A replica of Godric Gryffindor's Sword was created or acquired by Albus Dumbledore sometime prior to 1997. This replica was placed in the case normally holding the real sword, so that the real one could eventually be given to Harry Potter to assist his search for Voldemort's Horcruxes. It eventually made it way into Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

Replacing the real sword
Sometime prior to his death, Albus Dumbledore had acquired this replica and replaced the real Sword of Gryffindor with it. The real sword would later be placed into a secret compartment behind the portrait of Dumbledore in the Headmaster's office by Severus Snape.

Attempted theft
"One of the kids who tried to take the sword was Bill's younger sister. She and a couple friends got into Snape's office and smashed open the glass case where he was apparently keeping the sword. Snape caught them as they were trying to smuggle it down the staircase."

- Dirk Cresswell tells Ted Tonks about the attempted theft of the sword.

Beleving it to be the real Sword of Gryffindor, Ginevra Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood staged an attempt to steal this sword from the Headmaster's office. They managed to get as far as the staircase outside before being caught and punished by Snape. After this, Hogwarts Castle was deemed to be unsafe for the sword, and it was relocated to the Lestrange Vault. It presumably was enchanted with the same Flagrante and Gemino Curses as the rest of the vault's contents.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1