Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original German-made heavy cavalry saber closely conforming to the U.S. Model 1840 pattern, manufactured by the celebrated Solingen firm Gebrüder Weyersberg and retaining its original-style brass three-branch guard, leather-covered grip with twisted brass wire, massive curved blade, and heavy steel scabbard. With a blade measuring approximately 36 inches, the sword has the imposing proportions associated with the American Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber commonly nicknamed the “Old Wristbreaker.”

The Model 1840 was the principal heavy cavalry saber adopted by the United States during the antebellum period and remained extensively used during the Civil War.

This example is stamped on the blade ricasso with the manufacturer's logo of a Königskopf (King's Head), the logo of Gebrüder Weyersberg, Waffenfabrik, founded in 1787 by the brothers Johan William and Peter to manufacture sword and knife blades. By 1850 they were located on Kölnerstrasse in the Ohligs area of the City of Solingen. From 1859 onward they operated a factory on Hochstrasse in the same area. Called "The City of Blades", Solingen is a world-renowned edged weapon area, with a history dating back to the middle ages. The Weyersberg family itself had a history of swordmaking going back at least 6 generations. The company had numerous contacts and customers in Europe, and supplied weapons to Napoleon's army, as well as to the Prussian and Russian armies during the 19th century, until they merged with W.R. Kirschbaum in 1883, forming W.K. & C. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

Both North and South imported Swords and guns from Europe and European Manufacturers, mostly in Germany, and they did not want the eventual "winning side" to be able to blame them for "supplying the enemy". This is a typical example that could have been used by the Confederacy or the Union.

This sword conforms closely to the M-1840 U.S. Heavy Cavalry pattern, and is approximately 41 3/4 inches in overall length. It has a nice brass wire bound leather grip which is in overall good condition, with scuffing and heavy wear to the leather of the scabbard. The hilt bears a lightly patinated brass three branch handguard fitted to a wicked heavy curved blade measuring 36”, coming complete with its heavy all steel scabbard which has been repainted silver.

The blade shows heavy oxidation spotting having been cleaned away over the years, with a few small edge nicks toward the tip. The hilt is now a bit loose to the blade, due to the loss of the leather blade buffer.

The scabbard, though painted, remains in good condition without any extensive denting. Both suspension rings are retained with heavy paint chipping across.

The combination of its Gebrüder Weyersberg King’s Head maker mark, massive 36-inch curved blade, brass three-branch hilt, wire-bound leather grip, and accompanying heavy steel scabbard makes this an excellent representative example of the German export swords closely associated with the American Model 1840 cavalry pattern. Its proportions correspond closely with documented U.S. examples, while the Solingen maker’s mark provides a clear link to one of Germany’s most important 19th-century edged-weapon manufacturers.

Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 36”
Blade Style: Single Edged Curved Saber with Wide Fuller
Overall length: 41 3/4”
Basket dimensions: 5" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 37 7/8”