This war dated Mansfield & Lamb saber specimen is of the type issued to Federal horsemen during the last year of the American Civil War.   Manufactured by partners Henry Mansfield and Estus Lamb in the village of Forestdale, Rhode Island, this saber was one of 37,500 edged weapons produced for the U.S. Ordnance Department by the firm during the war.

The slightly curved saber blade measures 35” long, has a width of 1 1/16”, has a 27” long, wide fuller and a narrow fuller 18½” long. Blade features a clean, bright surface with scattered areas of light rust pitting overall.  Obverse riccasso is sharply marked with  “U.S. / C.E.W. / 1865”(CEW-Charles E. Wilson, inspector) while the reverse ricasso bears “MANSFIELD / & LAMB / FORESTDALE R.I.” with reverse markings all contained in a large, thin oval.  Untouched brass hilt, tight and strong, retains its original buff leather washer and a high domed pommel cap.   Brim shows government inspector mark of “C.E.W.” Brass hilt exhibits a slight outward bend at the first branch.  Saber grips exhibit the typical shallow groove, leather covered handle with two-strand, twisted brass wire wrapped around the handle. Original, black bridle leather covering wraps the handle and is in dried, scuffed and chipped condition. Twisted brass wire around the grip is strong but slightly loose.

The blade’s fine looking steel scabbard has acquired a ‘salt and pepper’ light gray scheen and has a few rough edges nicks 10-12” from the tip.   Metal scabbard has one dent near the lower ring mount. The two ring mounts are tight and hold two 1¼” diameter sword rings. Inspector marks “C.E.W.” appear at the drag edge. This late war, Mansfield & Lamb light cavalry saber is priced right and would certainly highlight any Civil War edged weapon collection.