US 1906 saber ???

[rice 123]

I picked up a US saber dated 1906 it was pretty cheap and it kind of goes with my original 1907 dated 1903. so I picked it up. it very much resembles a 1860 light saber except it has a iron guard instead of brass. It is marked AS.Co above a flaming bomb and 1906 below the bomb. The other side is marked US above a JC. I have the book American sword by Peterson but I can not find any mention of a 1906 pattern saber I found a officers 1902 saber but it's picture does not match this saber. The book mentions a 1906 experimental saber but this saber does not match that one either. Does anyone have any idea if there was a 1906 pattern saber ?

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[gew8805]

I know very little about swords and sabres, but in US service, 1906 is the year of manufacture, it does not indicate the model of the sword.

[rice 123]

yes I know date is the year of manufacture, I have a bayonet with the same date. I am trying to identify what is. it does not match any of the saber descriptions. in my reference book on US swords

[browningautorifle]

Attachment 51295 IS this it? Mentioned by name specifically as for sale...


The M1906 was the last official government batch of M1860 cavalry sabers purchased by the Army. It was distinguished from other orders because it had a steel hilt instead of the original brass one. ( Steel was so cheap and durable it made business sense to make the switch.)

SBG Sword Forum View topic - Windlass US M1906 Cav Saber Comemorative

[gew8805]

rice 123, if you can post a photograph of the sword it will help a lot with identification. Otherwise there will be a lot of guesses that may or may not help.

[rice 123]

it looked like the pic that browningutorifle posted. I tried wekipedia but could not find any information on a 1906 sabre. thanks for the help

[browningautorifle]

So...does that clear it up for you? The link has bags of info.

[RT Ellis]

It is indeed made to the specification of the light cavalry saber M1860, although I think "M1906" is a collector name to differentiate between the earlier brass hilt and the later steel hilt. The explanation I have heard several times is that when the new cavalry regiments (11th through 15th) were authorized there weren't enough light cavalry saber M1860 in the supply system, so new examples had to be manufactured.

"A.S.Co." is said to be Ames Sword Co., that also manufactured edged weapons during the Civil War including the light cavalry saber M1860.

My example is additionally marked on the blade "UCI" and scabbard drag "UCI 30" for Universal Costume Inc.

[Johnny Peppers]

I'm with BAR on this. I believe this was the last batch of Model 1860 sabers, and virtually all were made in 1906. The 1906 Experimental was not the same thing.