Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original U.S. Contract Model 1818 cavalry saber manufactured by Nathan Starr of Middletown, Connecticut, retaining its complete iron scabbard and clearly legible government proof, inspection, and maker markings. Produced under Starr’s large post-War of 1812 government contract, this saber belongs to the generation of American cavalry weapons that equipped state militia formations during the decades leading into the Seminole Wars and the creation of the U.S. Dragoon regiments.

Nathan Starr contracted with the U.S. government for 10,000 cavalry sabers in December 1818, and delivered them in batches from 1820 to 1822. This is a worn but good example of the pattern, using an iron hilt and fitted with a gently curving single edged blade with a wider fuller than on Starr’s other government work, and clip point with rudimentary false edge. Most were inspected by Luther Sage. It has a slot near the pommel for a sword knot or leather grip strap.

This example shows moderate service use which has resulted in major loss to the leather-covered grip. The blade is curved right out of the hilt, so it has a pronounced forward bow, and the tip has a very pronounced clip point. The blade is about 1 3/8" wide, getting slightly wider at the transition to the point.

The base of the blade still retains its crisp maker and inspection markings on the left side:

US
P
LS
N. STARR

The P is a proof mark indicating that the blade had passed government proof, while the initials LS identify Luther Sage, one of the U.S. government inspectors associated with Starr’s 1818 contract production. There is unfortunately no way to accurately date the sword, as the contract was not delivered in full until 1822, and no records were kept regarding when each inspector was working. Both sides of the ricasso have an interesting “X” stamp.

The blade is still mostly sharp, and exhibits staining and some heavy past pitting which has been cleaned away, as expected for a sword of this age. There are some runner marks and some moderate edge nicks in the edge of the blade. There is sharpening along the edge as shown. The blade buffer is gone.

The accompanying scabbard is the correct iron type associated with the 1818 contract. It retains both suspension rings and much of its original black japanned finish, with approximately 70% of the dark surface coating reportedly remaining. Published descriptions of original 1818 Starr sabers specifically document the use of a japanned black iron scabbard with two carrying rings, making the survival of this example’s scabbard particularly desirable.

The combination of the clear US / P / LS / N. STARR markings, Luther Sage inspection, surviving iron hilt, heavily service-worn leather grip, distinctive clipped-point blade, and complete two-ring japanned iron scabbard makes this a strong representative example of Starr’s 1818 cavalry contract. Its greatest historical importance lies in its association with the federal effort to arm American state militia cavalry during the early national period, immediately preceding the renewed expansion of the Regular Army’s mounted forces during the Indian Wars.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 32 1/8"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 37 1/8“
Guard dimensions: 5 3/4" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 32 ⅞”