Original Item: Only One Available. This is a well-used original U.S. Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber, the principal light cavalry saber associated with Union mounted troops during the American Civil War. It retains its brass three-branch guard, leather-covered wooden grip with intact twisted brass wire, original-style leather blade washer, curved double-fullered blade, and steel scabbard with both suspension rings.

The leather of the grip is intact, as is the washer on top of the guard, however the blade has been entirely cleaned and sharpened, with any maker markings now gone. The only marking remaining on the blade is “U.S.” at the ricasso.

The Model 1860 was developed as a lighter and more manageable replacement for the earlier Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber. Its reduced weight, more slender blade, and streamlined hilt made it better suited to the changing requirements of mounted service. Although commonly called the Model 1860, examples were already being manufactured and accepted immediately before the Civil War, and the pattern remained in production throughout the conflict.

The curved 34 ⅝” blade is entirely bright from cleaning and sharpening. The entire length of the blade is sharpened along the edge. The only mark on the ricasso is:

U.S.

There were likely other markings at one point that were worn away from cleaning. The hilt has a few small markings, including a 20 F on the pommel, denoting Company F of a 20th Regiment. There is also a roman numeral number scratched under the crossguard, XVIII, for 18. We have seen Confederate unit markings before that incorporated roman numerals, but we have no provenance to support that this one was Confederate.

The blade is now bright from cleaning, having lost all of its patina. The saber comes with the original all steel-curved scabbard and complete with both mounting rings. The drag of the scabbard is quite oxidized with some heavy denting in several areas across its length. There is some heavy oxidizing in spots, but otherwise it is very nice, with a nice gray patina. Both the throat and body next to the throat are stamped with the number 81, likely a reference number for the assembler, and both sides of the drag are stamped 41, likely a military roster or rack number.

The combination of the correct Model 1860 dimensions, U.S.-marked ricasso, intact leather-and-wire grip, original-style washer, double-fullered 34⅝-inch blade, steel scabbard, and multiple old inventory or possible unit markings makes this an interesting surviving Civil War cavalry saber. The markings 20 F, XVIII, 81, and 41 deserve preservation and further study, but none should presently be expanded into a specific unit attribution without additional provenance.

Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 34 5/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Curved Saber with double Fullers
Overall length: 40 1/2“
Basket dimensions: 5" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 37”