This specimen is a British Pattern 1822 cavalry officer’s saber manufactured by the firm of W. Walscheid of Solingen, Prussia, imported and sold by the Horstmann Company of Philadelphia, PA during the Civil War.   According to the fine sword reference book of author John Thillmann, not very much is known about the W. Walscheid firm.  It appears the company was in business only long enough to produce sabers during the American Civil War.  Interestingly, their edged weapons are seldom seen in the collecting field today and their cavalry officer’s sabers are extremely rare.

The cavalry saber has a two branch steel hilt with single line scribing or tooling on the branches.   Blade has a slightly curved steel blade that measures 35” long, a width of 1 1/8” and a 25½” long stopped fuller.  The family’s famous king’s head blade mark is found on the reverse ricasso.  Just above the mark is the importer’s mark of “W. HORSTMANN / & SON / PHILADELPHIA” etched to the ricasso. The mottled, dark gray blade has moderate wear with profuse floral etching on the blade sides.  Letters “U.S.” found on the obverse side and a spreadwinged eagle is on the reverse.  Blade back is stamped “Iron Proof”.

Grips are in good condition and employ a grooved wooden handle covered with dark gray sharkskin and wrapped with copper single twist wire wrap in tight strong.  Sharkskin wrap has a number of spots that exhibits scuffing and wear. A steel top strap runs from the ferrule to the pommel.  Steel scabbard has been cleaned to a dull light gray.   Saber bands, mounts and rings right to the body.  Scabbard drag shows no wear and the blade’s edge has a number of light dings or dents visible.

This Walscheid-marked British Pattern 1822 cavalry officer’s saber is in strong, tight condition and makes an interesting specimen worthy of any Civil War blade display or collection.