Domestic sword makers could not keep up with demand for the suddenly expanded army in 1861 and importers filled the gap. A large number of suppliers from Germany supplied the old 1840 pattern saber. (Interestingly, it was also a German maker who first supplied the pattern in the 1840s.) This one is in very good condition with its original scabbard. The brass hilt had a very nice, mustard color, aged patina. The pommel and blade tang are smooth and undisturbed. The black leather grip wrap is good, but shows wear spots to the finish on the obverse where the palm of a trooper’s hand would grasp it, smaller spots to the other side, and a little wear at the base near the guard. The twisted brass binding wire is complete and in place.

The leather pad on the underside of the guard is absent. The blade itself is very good, with excellent edge and point, and even silver gray steel finish with just some brown spotting near the ricasso. The scabbard has the drag, rings, bands and throat in place. As is correct for imported swords, the throat is secured with a screw on the side. The scabbard is smooth metal with no pitting or dents. The color is generally a dull gray with darker gray spots toward the drag and slight brown tone near the top that may indicate it was blued or browned at one point.

This is a very well made saber. There is no maker’s name at the ricasso, which marks a stopped fuller, but the spine is stamped “R&C,” the mark of R. Rohrig and Company of Solingen, who is included by Thillmann among known makers of these sabers for import into the U.S. during the war.  [sr]

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