This rare saber and matching metal scabbard is an original English Pattern 1853 cavalry saber manufactured by the Birmingham, England firm of Robert Mole and is so marked. Saber is in very good overall condition and measures 35¼” long with a total length of 40½”.  Blade is almost straight and void of any etching. In excellent condition, blade retains about 80 to 90% of its original polished brightness. A single unstopped fuller runs for 23¾” along the upper edge of the blade. Blade has slight patches of minor age with light discoloration and is clearly stamped on its broad back with the marking “MOLE”. Most British-made sabers produced for export to the Confederacy were completely unmarked and never bear British military stampings.  Those 1853 Pattern sabers that do bear a maker’s mark are a rare exception as this Mole-marked artifact certainly is. 

The large, flat, brass-mounted hilt features a wide, flat knucklebow with two branches for the counterguard and a quillon ending in a flat disc. Outer branch at quillon exhibits an arsenal repair. Entire hilt wears a rich bronze colored patina and exhibits grips of original checkered leather scales or strips that are riveted to the blade tang with five iron small rivets. Leather strips are worn down and dry in spots and show slight erosion at the top of the backstrap at the quillon area. Hilt is tight and retains its original washer pad. 

Original, large, heavy iron scabbard is in excellent condition with a light gray patina overall.  Unadorned, the scabbard is strong and tight with a smooth hard surface that shows scattered light pinprick pitting. Scabbard is stamped “MOLE” on the flat between the throat collar and the upper ring band. Scabbard has two ring mounts that are tight and each secures a 1¼” diameter iron sword ring. Throat collar retains both small setscrews. Scabbard shows one slight dent 4” above the drag.   Drag is strong and shows no wear. This Birmingham-made, Robert Mole-marked saber and scabbard represent a fine specimen that a Confederate cavalryman likely used in service during the American Civil War.