Civil War Cavalry Officer saber.

[Tudorp]

Hello folks. I purchased a "lot" of bayonets from a guy that picked them up in a estate sale. He didn't know much about them. I didn't notice this at first that was in the lot, but after I got them home, realized I had a hidden gem. There is some condition issues. The leather is all but rotted away with just the wood showing, with reminance of leather pieces on it. The hand gaurd is missing the loop, and the pummel is loose. But, it is what it is. I am wondering if I should do some minor restoration as far as replacing the leather, as just something that wouldn't change it from original barn find condition. Maybe re-peen the pummel to tighten it back, so would that be a mistake? Or should I just leave it as is? Would anybody know what something like this in just slightly north of relic condition would be? I see values all over the place from a few hundred up to several grand? I "think" it is a model 1850, but looks more like an 1840 blade? The hand gaurd has nice scroll work and "US" in it. The blade doesn't have any graphics or at least any that is visible in this condition as I have seen some. It does have near the handle with a couple letters worn off, "Henry Boker, Soligen" on it. Henry Boker of Soligen German is known to have made swords for both the north & south during the civil war. And I have read somewhere that this maker is fairly rare? Any other info would be greatly appreciated. I would love some feedback on this barn find.

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[browningautorifle]

Nice piece but I'm afraid you won't be able to do just a little to it. It needs a great deal or nothing. You'd need to replace almost the whole back end if you started...and the blade's been hashed too. As you know the scabbard is in need also... I always liked those particular swords, they're a classic example of a real working blade. Most times they show hard or at least real use.

[Tudorp]

It has been beat up pretty good. The scabbard has a slight bend in it, which I have read isn't un-common due to being beat the death slapping against the horse in battle. I seen some in very nice condition sell pretty high, but this one isn't in that sort of condition obviously. It's been well used, and has substantial wear that is evident of being well used. But to be honest, I prefer them used, but I wish this one was a bit less beat up. It give it history and character IMHO. I probably won't do anything to it. I consider it just a bit north of "relic" condition, but at any condition, a cool history piece.

[browningautorifle]

If you watch closely, you might find the guard on Ebay...that would bring it to fireplace display condition at least. Then you could re-do the peening of the pommel. But I think re-doing would be very costly...

[25-5]

Is there any chance you could backtrack to the estate sale and request some family history. A beat up saber with a story would be more desirable.

[Johnny Peppers]

It was desecrated after it left the military, so not much history to that. I don't believe peening the pommel will cure it's ills, and just make it harder to restore should you find the parts you need.

[Gil Boyd]

Maybe an old wives tale, but they tell you in the British Military never to leave the sword in the scabbard for any length of time as it causes issues with the blade as they sweat, that was Wilkinson Sword Limited........maybe the same for this lovely piece. Left in a dark loft for years maybe??

[browningautorifle]

Many swords have a lathe down each side of the scabbard to keep rattle to a minimum. Those would take damp and then rust the blade if not dried out. Next they'd stick to the blade and get pulled part way out, so the bearer would yank them right out. Now you'd have a rusty blade and rattly scabbard...yes, they need to be clean and dry.

[lboos]

I don't know about the blade, but the hand guard looks like it was made in China, or Mexico, very poor workmanship, about as crude as it gets.
I 'm not an expert on swords but I have owned many over the years, and I have collected Civil War weapons since the 60's.
I could be wrong, as I have been in the past, just going by your pic's.

[browningautorifle]

I think the guard was cut off by someone that intended to use this for clearing the sweet pea plants in the garden. Something like that. The guards are made of brass in some patterns and this is one...if you examine the originals, you see it's spot on...except for being butchered.