Original Item. Only One Available. This is an impressive U.S. Civil War era Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber, the substantial curved cavalry sword traditionally known to collectors as the “Old Wristbreaker.” This example is particularly interesting for its scarce P.S. JUSTICE / PHILADA blade marking denoting manufacture by P.S. Justice of Philadelphia and steel scabbard marked S. & K. for the major Solingen firm Schnitzler & Kirschbaum. The saber retains an excellent 36 1/8” blade, leather covered grip with its original brass wire wrapping, three-branch brass guard, leather blade buffer, and complete two-ring steel scabbard.

The Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber was adopted by the U.S. Army after dissatisfaction with the earlier Model 1833 Dragoon Saber. Its design was based closely on the French Model 1822 cavalry saber, which had performed well in comparative trials conducted by the U.S. Ordnance Department. The first U.S. contract for the new pattern was awarded to Schnitzler & Kirschbaum of Solingen, Prussia, and imported examples entered American service before domestic production became well established. The pattern subsequently saw service during the Mexican-American War and remained extensively available during the Civil War even after the introduction of the lighter Model 1860 Cavalry Saber.

The saber has a very nice brass wire bound leather grip, which is mostly intact with some looseness to the wire, and a brass three branch brass hand guard. The original leather blade buffer washer is still present, and the sword comes with its original heavy steel scabbard with two hanger rings.

The wicked heavy 36 1/8 inch curved blade's ricasso is marked on one side with maker's name, which is still partially clear -

P. S. JUSTICE
PHILADA

The blade does have some staining, but much oxidation has been cleaned away over the years. There are also a few tiny nicks and dents on the edge, but the blade is overall excellent. The hilt is in lovely shape, with a nice patina.

The scabbard is in very good condition, with no dents we can see, and a great aged oxidized patina. It still retains both original hanger rings, and is a very good example of this type of scabbard. The drag is stamped:

G.T.
S. & K.

This denotes that the scabbard was manufactured by the German firm Schnitzler & Kirschbaum (S&K) located in Solingen, Prussia.

The combination of a P.S. Justice marked blade and S&K marked scabbard is especially interesting. Comparable P.S. Justice Model 1840 sabers have been encountered with S&K marked scabbards, reinforcing the likelihood that Justice's sword business relied at least in part on imported Solingen components. It cannot be proven from the markings alone that this blade and scabbard have remained together since their original sale, but they are entirely compatible in pattern and period.

The Model 1840 was a formidable cavalry weapon designed primarily for a powerful cutting stroke from horseback. Its substantial blade and forward weight gave rise to the enduring “Wristbreaker” or “Old Wristbreaker” nickname by which the pattern is now widely known. The nickname is deeply established in modern arms literature, although its precise origin as a contemporary troop expression is difficult to document conclusively.

Despite introduction of the lighter Model 1860 Cavalry Saber, Model 1840s remained in service during the Civil War because enormous numbers of edged weapons were needed to equip rapidly expanding Union cavalry forces. Imported and commercially supplied examples also entered state and militia channels, while captured stocks and prewar inventories ensured that the general pattern could be encountered on both sides of the conflict.

This example is especially desirable for its scarce P.S. JUSTICE / PHILADA marking, excellent heavy blade, substantially complete leather and wire grip, intact blade washer, attractive brass patina, and S&K marked steel scabbard. The marks provide a tangible connection to both Philadelphia's Civil War arms trade and the Solingen sword industry that supplied the United States for decades. Rather than an anonymous Model 1840, it preserves evidence of the transatlantic manufacturing and distribution network through which many American military swords reached the field during the mid-19th century.

Dimensions:
Blade length: 36 1/8”
Blade style: Curved Saber with Double Fullers
Overall length: 41 3/4”
Handguard: 5”x 5”
Scabbard Length: 37 3/8"