|
CIVIL WAR CAVALRY OFFICERS LIGHT CAVALRY SABRE
–ETCHED BLADE – MADE BY SAUERBIER - VERY NICE OFFICER’S
SABRE: One of the key blades necessary to
complete a collection, this Civil War Cavalry Officers
Light Cavalry Sabre manufactured by Henry Sauerbier of
Newark, New Jersey will certainly enhance your display.
Cavalry Officer’s sabres have always been difficult to
find for they were simply not produced in great
quantity. One estimate determined that one of the
largest manufacturers of cavalry sabres, the Ames
Company, manufactured only 338 Cavalry Officers sabres,
a mere 4/10ths of one percent of their total cavalry
sabre production. Few Cavalry Officers sabres were
embellished with the costly brass or gold washed
scabbard fittings which added significantly to the cost
of the sabre. Many officers, limited by personal
finances, and recognizing the wear and abuse the sabre
would be exposed to in the field, chose to purchase
sabres such as this specimen with little decoration on
the guard, simple etching on the blade, and unadorned
scabbards.
This sabre is well marked, with an etched panel on the
reverse ricasso bearing a legible “H. SAUERBIER, NEWARK,
NJ”. The Phyrgian cap pommel, the quillon, and the
branches of the guard all feature the cast decorations
of acanthus leaves and berries and/or oak leaves and
acorns. The guard is full form with no damage, the
branches maintain their original curve, and the brass
has a very pleasing patina that has not been polished.
The classic light cavalry sabre grip with the swelled
belly is covered in black leather secured with a twisted
wire wrapping. The leather is overall smooth showing
little wear or aging and no flaking. The 32” blade is
full length, features an unstopped fuller, again
consistent with Sauerbier sabres, is finely etched on
both sides, and the leather washer is present. The
obverse (right) side of the blade is etched beginning at
the guard with a floral pattern approximately 14” long.
The reverse (left) side of the blade is likewise etched
with a similar length panel of floral patterns
surrounding a bold “US” above the Sauerbier maker
panel. The etchings are all clear and legible, however
they are almost impossible to photograph and capture the
etched images due to the glare from the blade. The
blade has a semi-rounded back, unstopped fuller and is
unsharpened with a smooth edge, terminating in the
original shape of the point. The blade is overall
bright with only scattered minor darkening and no
pitting. The back of the blade has an etched panel
“IRON PROOF” immediately in front of the guard. The
steel scabbard is very attractive with a smooth, even
surface having only a very few scattered spots of light
pitting, and overall featuring a nice mottled, aged
finish. The ring mounts and both rings are intact and
retain their shape. The scabbard body is full form with
no dents and a complete, intact seam, and is wood lined
as expected on a Sauerbier scabbard. The drag is the
proper heavy shoe-style attached with two recessed
screws.
This Light Cavalry Officer’s Sabre is an attractive
piece and it will display well with your officer’s
grouping or in your array of Civil War sabres. $2,650
|
