Original Model 1840 cavalry officer’s saber complete with metal scabbard. Manufactured by P.D.L. (P. D. Luneschoss) of Prussia (Germany) during the mid-19^th century, these distinctive and utilitarian blades were imported by retailers / assemblers / contractors in New York and Philadelphia who sold them to the U.S. Ordnance Department and to individual soldiers.

Likely crafted for made for the cavalry officer, this high-quality M1840 saber is undated, features a steel blade with a flat back and measures 34” long with a width of 1 3/16”. Saber has the officer’s ornate brass hilt, pommel cap, knucklebow and two-branch guard. All brass components feature ornate motifs of laurel leaves on the pommel edge, knucklebow and both branches.

Obverse ricasso of the blade is free of any markings while the blade reverse ricasso bears the mark “P.D.L.” in a serrated oval. The handsome, bright, single-edge blade exhibits an obverse flat with a fine, large, detailed etching of a spreadwinged eagle that starts 6” from the hilt. Reverse flat also has a bright shiny coloring and features an etching that shows the detailed letters “U S” also 6” up from the hilt. Entire blade is in good plus condition and has a bright sheen overall. Does show just minor dark oxidation spots on the upper 7” of the tip. No edge nicks. Blade also retains most of the original leather washer pad with some edges worn away.

Original grips are excellent condition, tight and strong. Grips consist of a turned wooden handle wrapped with dark sharkskin and wound encircled original twisted, brass wire wrap flanked with single strands of brass wire. Brass wire still tight. The imported, undented iron scabbard exhibits a smooth mottled gray patina with light to moderate pinprick rusting overall. Identification appears as “N. S. Bowdish” engraved in thin block letters within a double-lined rectangular box on the upper portion of the scabbard between the throat and the upper ring mount. Unmarked throat retains one small set screw. Drag bears no stampings on the slipper. Iron bands are tight and hold the two sword suspension rings.

Nelson S. Bowdish was 28 years old when he enlisted on 8/12/61 at Cooperstown, NY as a 2^nd Lieutenant. On 8/30/61 he was commissioned into Co. K, 43^rd New York Infantry.  Dropped from rolls on 9/5/61 (per order of Gen. McClellan). Bowdish re-enlisted at the age of 29, as a 1^st Lieutenant on 11/12/61 at Cherry Valley, NY. On that date he was commissioned into Battery M, 3^rd New York Light Artillery. He resigned on 4/3/63.

This regiment was accepted by the State for a service of two years as a regiment of infantry, and designated the 19th Regiment, May 17, 1861.  It was organized at Elmira, and there mustered in the service of the United States, by an error, for three months only.  August 2, 1861, it was ordered, however, at the request of the War Department, by the Governor of the State, to be mustered in the service of the United States for the unexpired portion of its State service.  The 49th Militia formed the nucleus of the regiment, and the men were recruited principally in the counties of Cayuga, Seneca and Wayne; the counties of Cattaraugus, Chenango, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Tioga and Tompkins also furnished some of the men.  The regiment left the State, under Col. John S. Clark, June 6, 1861.  December 11, 1861, under Col. James H. Ledlie, it was converted into an artillery regiment.  At the expiration of its term of service, those entitled to be discharged left the field, May 22, 1863, and were mustered out in the State; the regiment, however, was continued in the service, receiving new companies and recruits.

Battery M, Capt. James V. White.  This company was originally organized for the 76th Infantry, as Company I.  January 24, 1862, it was transferred to the 3d Artillery, and completed by consolidating with it Captain Hanson's and another company, recruited for the Cherry Valley Regiment.  It was recruited principally at Albany, Schenectady, Broadalbin, Elmira, Cherry Valley, Bainbridge, Newfield, Ithaca, Milford, Unadilla, Braman's Cove, Sanford, Hartwick and Cayuta; organized at Albany and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years, January 18, 1862.  At the expiration of its term of service those entitled thereto were discharged and the battery continued in service.  It joined the regiment February 22, 1862, and served in North Carolina, and the 18th Corps, from March, 1862; at and near Fort Monroe, Va., from October, 1863; in Heckman's Division, 18th Corps, from January, 1864; in the 1st Division, 18th Corps, from March, 1864; in the 3d Division, 18th Corps, Army of the James, from May, 1864; in the Artillery Brigade, 18th Corps, from June, 1864, and in that of the 24th Corps from December, 1864.  Commanded by Capt. John H. Howell, it was mustered out at Richmond, Va., June 26, 1865.Source: Phisterer, p. 1,264.

Soldier history comes with cursory information on Bowdish from the American Civil War Research Database online program. A fine, strong specimen of an officer’s M1840 heavy imported cavalry saber and scabbard at a fine price.

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