The saber itself is of French manufacture and is so marked on the flat spine of the blade. The engraving in cursive shows that the blade was produced at the Chatellerault Armory, France in 1860 and is of the 1844 pattern. The overall length of the saber from tip to pommel is 42.25 inches with a blade length of 36.25.

The blade surface is near pristine. It is bright and clean with just the lightest scattered mottling. Blade was not etched and has no nicks on the true edge. There is a central unstopped fuller beginning at the ricasso and running approx. 30.50 inches with a narrow fuller above it that runs approx. 20.50 inches. Obverse ricasso has three inspection marks with the first one being a large “L” in an oval which began being used in August of 1859 when Ambroise Le. Caruyer became director of the armory. The other two marks are for armory inspectors. Reverse ricasso is blank. Complete buff leather washer is present at blade base.

With a symmetrical two-branch guard integrated into the knucklebow, the hilt displays the acanthus fan on the quillon, a cast floral display on both upper branches, inside and outside, and shows ornate foliate design at the knucklebow / pommel junction. Grips are mint condition and employ the typical M1840 grooved wooden handle that is covered with brown leather. A fine, double-twist, brass gilded wire rests within the grooves. Brass wire wrap is excellent, tight and strong. Phygerian-style brass pommel cap has a high dome tang with a peened blade tang. Casting detail is profuse and sharp.

The iron scabbard is the extremely rare French made retractable version made in two telescoping spring-loaded sections that slide together when the sword is drawn. Throat is stamped “JAY & CIE / BREVETES A PARIS” in two lines. Scabbard is in excellent condition with a nice dark patina and light scattered pinprick surface pitting. There are no dents.

The sword belonged to Colonel Henry S. Lansing and came from his family along with a binder full of papers, photographs and other items.

Henry Seymour Lansing was born in Utica, New York on February 17, 1824.

Prior to the breaking out of the war he was the chief manager of the American-European Express Company, and superintended the banking department of the company at Paris for a considerable time. He assisted in organizing the Military Commission of the State of New York before the war.

At the outbreak of the Civil War Colonel Lansing was appointed to the command of the 17th New York Infantry. His regiment saw action on the Peninsula, 2nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Lansing was honorably mustered out of the service July 17, 1863 and was brevetted Brigadier General United States Volunteers, March 13, 1865, for faithful and meritorious services during the war.

During the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876, General Lansing occupied the position of auditor to the Board of Finance, where he showed himself a skillful accountant.

General Lansing had remained in Philadelphia until sometime before his death, and being a sufferer for several years from dropsy he had determined to go to New York and was on his way there when taken ill on the train at Burlington, N. J., when he was compelled to stop off, and he remained in that city until he died.

He was a genial gentleman, possessing fine social traits. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Commandery, Loyal Legion, and of George G. Meade Post, No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic, of Philadelphia. He died April 13, 1882 and was buried in the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Yard in Burlington, New Jersey.   [AD]

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