This is a less commonly found 1862-dated Mansfield and Lamb model 1860 cavalry saber with a scabbard bearing matching inspector’s initials. The company supplied 10,408 sabers in 1861 and 1862, and almost three times that from 1863 to 1865. This one is in very good condition and early enough for service in most major battles. The company ran the factory town of Forrestdale, RI, with a cotton mill and scythe factory, the latter making the production of cavalry sabers easier than for most contractors. They produced all their own parts and focused on their military contracts for enlisted sabers rather than officer’s sabers and other distractions.

This example has a nice mellow patina to the brass hilt. The wire binding and thin black leather grip wrap is in place and tight. The leather has a good surface with just minor wear spots and wrinkling to show it was carried outdoors and used. The blade pad is in place on the underside of the guard. The blade has a good edge and point. The ricasso is marked: “Mansfield/ & / Lamb / Forrestdale RI” on one side and “U.S. / GGS / 1862” on the other. The markings are crisp and the blade is smooth metal with a muted silver tone overall and just some very faint gray spotting. The blade even shows some faint cross polishing at the base.

The scabbard is the regulation pattern, complete with throat, rings, bands and drag. The metal is smooth and shows a mix of light and dark gray with some brown tones overall, with no dents or pitting, and has a clear “GGS” inspector’s stamp on the drag, matching the stamp on the sword ricasso, a nice sign they have been together forever.

The saber was the quintessential cavalry weapon. This would make a nice addition to a cavalry collection and given the date would be particularly appropriate for display with an early-war pattern saber belt and accouterments.    [SR]

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