This is a very good example of the regulation Civil War cavalry officer’s saber sold by the well known Civil War military goods firm of Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. This is the 1860 pattern and is complete, with etched blade, full sharkskin wrapped grip with twisted wire binding in place, etched blade, and with scabbard.

The brass hilt is cast and chased with floral motifs on the pommel cap and guard branches, and a raised rosette/shell motif in the inside top of the counterguard. The blade is the typical 1860 form with slightly rounded back edge and partial, narrow fuller. It is etched on both sides with a central foliate cartouche with Arabesque terminals at either end, with a “U.S.” in its center on the reverse and on the obverse an American eagle with wide-spread wings over a leafy branch and an E Pluribus Unum banner scroll. The spine of the blade is etched “Iron Proof.” The reverse ricasso has a clipped corner rectangular panel with the stamped oval Solingen blade maker’s mark of Clauberg with their trademark standing knight. The obverse has etched Schuyler, Hartley and Graham retailers address in the same position.

The blade pad is in place under the guard. The scabbard is plain steel, with drag, both rings, and flat throat in place, and shows some thin brown on the upper portions from its original lacquer finish. The lower portion mixes in some thin gray with the brown and has just two small dings from field use, a few inches above the drag. The blade has a good edge and point, is in the bright, though not mirror finish, with some thin gray areas near the hilt and some brown spots and rubbing to the center of the SH&G address. The etching is fully visible. The grip is very good, with only minor rubs. The hilt has remnants of the original gilt finish in recesses. The point of the counterguard shows some dings and the outer guard branch has a slight push where it separates from the inner branch. Neither detracts much.

Schuyler, Hartley and Graham were major military goods dealers during war, importing swords and sword blades with other parts for assembly into custom orders, and also supplying other firms, etc. See John Thillmann’ s chapter on the firm in his landmark “Civil War Cavalry and Artillery Sabers” for details and examples. Collectors will also be familiar with the available reprints of the firm’s 1864 military goods catalog.

This is a very good example of a cavalry officer’s saber intended for field use. [sr] [ph:m]

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