This imported and seldom-seen Model 1840 cavalry saber, also called a dragoon heavy cavalry saber, is a product of the Clemen & Jung Company of Solingen, Prussia. Highly regarded for their quality sword and saber production, the firm was founded in 1860 and survived until the 1970s. Saber specimen is identified to cavalryman Charles H. Greeley, a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. A period, paper tag, hand written in pencil, reads “Sword & belt owned by / Charles H. Greeley, Co A. / 1^st Regiment Massachusetts / Cavalry in Civil War – service / from Dec 13^th 1863 to June 26, 1865.” Greeley enlisted on Dec 14, 1863 in Company K of the 1^st Massachusetts Cavalry. He was appointed Sergeant on Dec 31 but for unspecified reasons was reduced to Corporal that same day. Corporal Greeley served with the regiment until April 1, 1864 when he was reduced to the ranks. On May 17, Greeley suffered a minieball gunshot wound to his right toe and was sent to the USA Hospital Steamer ‘Monitor’ at Fortress Monroe, VA. He was absent-sick in hospital from that time until March 1865. Later in November / December 1864, Private Greeley was assigned to Company A from which he was mustered out of service on June 26, 1865.

Greeley’s long 36½” blade has a wide fuller 29” long and a narrow fuller 19¼” long. Steel blade is curved, has a flat wide back and is single-edged with a slight false edge. Weighing 4½ lbs., including the scabbard, the saber is totally free of markings save for the one-line blade marks “C & J” on the right ricasso but without the concave end box. Obverse ricasso shows no markings. The hefty steel blade is straight and exhibits scattered areas of dark, age discoloration and pinprick rust pitting overall especially on both flats some four inches from the hilt. Blade itself has acquired a mellow, dusky gray patina and appears to have been lightly cleaned.

The heavy, two-branch brass hilt is dark and untouched, complete with leather washer, and is in good overall condition. Grip retains only the wood handle, most of the brass wire, very loose, and just fragments of the original leather wrap and string cording. Cavalry saber has a brass pommel cap in the Phrygian design with a pommel brim that exhibits no inspector marks. Hilt has an early, unmarked leather sword knot attached. His U.S. Model 1851 officer’s leather belt rig accompanies the saber and is in complete but worn, tired condition. Hilt is slightly loose on the tang.

Original waist belt has a fine condition M1851 officer’s rectangular brass belt plate with the narrow tongue and brass keeper. Covered with thin black leather veneer, the belt is strong and intact but the surface suffers from moderate cracking and crazing overall. Saber rig is complete with the belt’s leather and brass adjusters, brass furniture, saber hook, and one broken saber strap with brass drop. Hefty iron scabbard is unadorned and has appears to have been lightly cleaned in areas. Wears a dark plum brown patina with scattered areas of salt and pepper rust pitting. Both sword mounts are tight and retain the suspension rings. One ring has the brass drop and remnants of the leather sword strap. No markings on drag. Heavy throat collar has the flat top edge cut secured by two small setscrews. ID tag is secured to the lower ring by a short piece of strong.

An original, attic-find, ID’d Civil War Union cavalry rig from the hard-fought 1^st Massachusetts’s cavalry regiment Rig comes complete with Greeley’s military records from the National Archives in Washington D.C.

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