This heavy cavalry saber, commonly referred to as Model 1840 Wristbreaker was one of the military sabers used by U.S. mounted forces before and during the Civil War.   Made by the Charles Hammond firm of Philadelphia, the single-edged blade has a pronounced curved with a flat wide back. Saber, also called a dragoon heavy cavalry saber, measures 35 7/8” long with an integral wide fuller 26 ½” long and a narrow fuller some 18 1/8” long. Weighing 4½ lbs., including the steel scabbard, the blade address is marked “C. HAMMOND’ the reverse ricasso.  Obverse ricasso plain.  The hefty steel blade exhibits a semi-bright finish with scattered areas of light discoloration overall and appears to have been lightly cleaned. Blade shows scattered small edge nicks and also exhibits a medium-quality grinding and finishing.

The heavy, two-branch brass hilt, still with its leather washer, is in very good condition and exhibits an untouched dark bronze patina. Black bridle leather grips are in fair condition and feature a wooden handle that is wrapped with a thin, double twisted copper wire wound around the handle. Wraps are tight, as is the brass wire.  Saber has a brass pommel cap in the Phrygian design but the construction is cruder than normally seen.

Hefty iron scabbard is unadorned. It wears a dark plum-brown patina with scattered areas of rust pitting overall.  Both sword mounts are tight and retain the suspension rings.  The thick “Philadelphia” drag has light angle wear.  This M1840 cavalry saber with its rugged looks and reasonable price would compliment any blade collection.