Original British Crimean War Era Canadian Unit-Marked Reeves P1853 Light Cavalry Saber with Scabbard - Kingston Volunteer Militia Artillery
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Original Item. Only One Available. This is an outstanding & scarce model of sword, a British P1853 Light Cavalry Saber unit-marked on the guard to the Canadian Kingston Volunteer Militia Artillery. This example was manufactured at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Birmingham, England, and dates to the Crimean War period.
"K.V.M.A. / 12," appearing just below the tear-shaped pommel, is, ostensibly, an abbreviation for the Kingston Volunteer Militia Artillery. Little is known of this Canadian artillery battery other than that it was formed in 1855 as a result of the Crimean War which led to fewer British regulars in British North America. The Canadian Legislature passed the Militia Act of 1855, which authorized a volunteer militia of up to 5,000, including batteries of artillery, equipped and trained at government expense. A handful of other examples bearing the same abbreviation are known, all of them, peculiarly, p1853 sabers intended for cavalrymen.
The saber has a 35 ½” curved blade, with the ricasso bearing an Birmingham RSAF inspector's mark numbered 13 and Birmingham anchor. The spine is stamped REEVES denoting Charles Reeves, the progenitor of the Patent Solid Hilt, a wide tang set between thick slabs of pressed, checkered leather which would become the standard grip for British swords produced in the latter half of the 18th century. This example features one such grip.
Though the checkered pattern is worn, all of the original leather to the grip is present. The darkly patinated blade exhibits signs of battlefield wear, including a folded point, and the guard presents a dark patina. The overall length of the saber is roughly 41⅜”.
The scabbard retains both suspension rings but appears to be missing the throat piece, with holes to both sides where it would’ve been attached. The only marking we could find is a stamped A / 25 at the throat. The scabbard is 35 ¾” long and has some denting as shown.
A very scarce model of sword, the first we have ever offered in many years, ready for display!
Dimensions:
Blade length: 35 1/2”
Overall length: 41 3/8”
Scabbard length: 35 3/4”
Handguard: 4 ½”x 5”
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