Original Item: Only One Available. This is a good example of a private purchase version of the principal cavalry saber used in the U.S. Civil War of 1860-1865. It features all brass mounts, a wood with leather wrapped sword grip and fully intact bound brass wire wrap, and a nice steel scabbard.  The leather of the grip is intact, however the washer on top of the grip is missing.

As this is a private purchase sword, it does not have to conform exactly to the U.S. Army Pattern. The curved blade on this example is only 31 1/2 inches long, as compared to the standard 35 inches of the official issue. Officer's were often required to purchase their own weapons, and this officer may have been short, or may have wanted a more nimble saber for use on horseback.

The blade ricasso is marked with the retailer who supplied it:

The other side of the engraved blade bears the proof mark of a CROWNED KING'S HEAD, which is the Company logo of GEBRUEDER WEYERSBERG of SOLINGEN in Solingen, Germany. There is also Iron Proof engraved on the blade spine. This tells us that the blade was privately imported by the Horstmann Company to be marketed as Private Purchase Swords to Union Officers. Many blades were imported from Germany and France during this period, mainly for private purchase items such as presentation swords.

The blade only has light pitting throughout, but has a nice edge with no nicks, or major damage from use. The three branch brass hand guard is quite nice, and has been cleaned recently, giving it a great look.

The saber comes with the original all steel-curved scabbard and complete with both mounting rings. The drag of the scabbard is not beaten up at all, with overall structural integrity excellent. It also still has a good deal of the original surface finish, without the large amount of peppering usually seen on these. Just a few small dents can be found on the exterior, and it properly matches the length of the blade.

Offered in very nice collector's condition, original Civil War Cavalry Swords are getting harder and harder to find every year!

The Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber (also known as the M1862 as this was when the first 800 were issued) was used by US cavalry from the American Civil War until the end of the Indian wars; some were still in use during the Spanish-American War. It was 41in long with a 35in by 1in blade and weighed 2 lb 4oz alone or 3 lb 10oz with iron scabbard.

During the Civil War there was no light or heavy cavalry in the US army. Instead there were "Dragoons" (founded 1830) "Mounted Riflemen", (founded c.1840) and "Cavalry" (founded 1856), distinguished by the orange, green or yellow piping on their uniforms. In 1861 these mounted regiments were renamed cavalry and given yellow piping.

The M1860 saber received its name to distinguish it from the larger and heavier Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber that it replaced. Like its predecessor it had a brass guard, leather-wrapped grip and steel scabbard but unlike the M1840 it was smaller and easier to handle.

By the end of the Civil War over 300,000 1860 sabers had been produced: 200,000 by Ames, 32,000 by Roby and many more by firms such as Tiffany and Co, Glaze, Justice, and Emerson and Silver. M1860s were carried not only by cavalry but also by many infantry and staff officers as the regulation Model 1850 Army Staff & Field Officers' Sword had to be privately purchased. High-ranking officers, like their European counterparts, often had their swords ornately engraved with gilding and foliage. Famous users included George Armstrong Custer and J.E.B. Stuart.

Later in the Civil War large cavalry charges became less common and the cavalry took on the role of skirmishers. Many replaced their sabers with extra revolvers, or left it in the saddle while fighting on foot with their repeating Henry rifles and Spencer carbines.

This is the sword the cavalry use in Westerns, many being original antiques purchased by the movie industry in the 1920s when surplus Civil War equipment was cheap.

This model is currently used in some U.S. Army Cavalry units in Color Guards, or when in period type uniforms. Most are given as PCS (Permanent Change of Station) or ETS (Expiration of Term of Service) gifts to a departing Cavalry Trooper. Usually engraved on the scabbard with his name, rank and dates of service. Some are also worn, in full Dress Blues, (when earned on a "Spur Ride" or combat tour) with Stetson and Spurs.