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FEDERAL MODEL 1860 LIGHT CAVALRY SABER FOUND ON EAST CAVALRY FIELD, GETTYSBURG – GEISELMAN COLLECTION

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This Civil War artifact is Federal Model 1860 light cavalry saber that was recovered in the battle area at East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg. Once part of the Norbert Oyler Collection, this edged weapon specimen and its metal scabbard are fine representatives of the type issued to Yankee troopers during the war. Most likely dropped sometime during the frenzied cavalry action on the Third Day at Gettysburg in July 1863, this remarkable artifact was found on East Cavalry Field shortly after the battle. Mr. Oyler was a local Gettysburg resident and World War I veteran who operated an antique shop in New Oxford, PA for 25 years.

Produced by the Providence Tool Company of Providence, Rhode Island, this original cavalry saber is in very good condition and comes complete with its steel scabbard. The full length, steel blade measures 34½” long. The wide fuller measures 27½” long while the narrow fuller is 19” long. Strong steel blade wears a dusky, light gray coloring and exhibits scattered areas of salt and pepper rust pitting and dark age discoloration overall. Blade is straight and has just a few edge nicks along its length. Obverse ricasso is very lightly marked with the maker’s stamping showing just a portion of the Providence Tool Co logo. Reverse ricasso is lightly stamped with “U.S. / illegible / 1862”.

Weapon retains its original brass hilt with the typical two-branch guard and its Phrygian-style pommel cap with no markings visible. Hilt bears a perceptible slight looseness. Brass quillon is not bent but hilt is missing its original leather blade washer. All brass furniture has acquired a pleasing, dark bronze patina that appears to have been rubbed in areas. One of the most interesting aspects of this saber involves the wood grips that show the Model 1840-style and appear to have been a period repair. The grips are carved wood and exhibit a wider stance at the hilt than at the pommel. Approximately more than 60% of the leather wrap is missing and the double-twist, brass wire is loosely wound about the grips. No center swell is prevalent on the grips.

Never cleaned, the steel scabbard is in very fine, complete condition and bears just slight dings and dents commensurate with normal age. Drag exhibits the telltale edge-wear angle from actual use.

This battle weapon, part of the Norbert Oyler Collection, is a wonderful saber from the East Cavalry Field area at Gettysburg, and is identified in John Geiselman’s collection by his museum listing. Originally sold as item# R11339.  [ra][ph:L]

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The Horse Soldier was pleased to offer a number of items from the John P. Geiselman collection, a collection that was on display for many years at the Geiselman Country Store Museum on Barlow - Two Taverns Road. Geiselman began his collecting as a child in the early 1920s, and during the pre-World II period had access to artifacts that had been purchased earlier at the estate sales of the Trostle, Rogers, Rose, Weikert, and Wentz farms - local properties that figured prominently in the battle and its aftermath. During this period he had access as well to the Hill , Plank, and Stewart collections, and was able to acquire other items that had been sold from turn-of-the-century relics establishments such as the Danner, Ziegler, and Oak Ridge Museums. Furthermore, Geiselman carefully documented most artifacts, and collectors perusing the list will be able to note, in many instances, not only the source of the relic and the date of its recovery, but also the part of the battlefield from which it came. In other words, his collection is the last major grouping of Gettysburg artifacts assembled and documented by a local resident.

This item is NOT eligible for the 10% discount of the listed price.

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THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

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