This original, imported Civil War Model 1860 cavalry saber is a fine, untouched edged weapon just recently acquired straight from the soldier’s descendants.  Private Zeno K. Wood of Company A, 3^rd Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry carried this weapon during his enlistment while a trooper in the unit during the war.   Wood was 21 years old when he enlisted at New Bedford in Company A, 41^st Regiment Massachusetts Infantry on Aug 21, 1862 as a private.  In January 1863, the unit converted to cavalry and Wood was assigned duty as clerk at Provincial Court in the Department of the Gulf at New Orleans, LA. Wood held various administrative posts until he was discharged in April 1864 to accept a 2^nd Lieutenant’s commission in Company B, 1^st Regiment, New Orleans Infantry.  1^st Lt. Wood mustered out of service on June 1, 1866 after serving on the staff of Major General William T. Sherman as his A.A.A. General and Aide-de-Camp. Wood relocated to Warrensburg, IL and then to Mt. Pulaski, Il where he became a member of G.A.R. Samuel Walker Post # 205.  He married, had no children and died on Nov 22, 1906.   

Produced by the J. E. Bleckman cutlery firm of Solingen, Prussia, this Model 1860 light cavalry enlistedman’s saber is fresh from the family and in attic condition.  Blade length measures 34½” with a width of 1 1/8” and features a wide fuller 25½” long and a narrow fuller of 17¼” long.  The slightly curved blade bears a dull scheen overall and shows scattered light patches of dark oxidation.  Blade also exhibits three deep edge nicks some 18” from the tip.  Marked clearly on the reverse ricasso are letters “B M  inside a Bow & Arrow”.  Obverse ricasso plain. The tight, brass hilt has never been cleaned and wears a pleasing bronze patina. Buff leather washer missing.  Original grips feature the typical, leather covered, carved, center swelled wooden handle with two-strand twisted brass wire wrapped around the handle. Twisted brass wire is tight and strong.  Black bridle leather covering is in good strong, tight condition with only just a slight area of scuffing and cracking.  A high domed brass pommel cap in the Phrygian pattern rests atop the grips.  No inspector stampings on brim.  The original steel scabbard retains its throat piece and wears a dark uncleaned gunmetal brown / gray patina. Two sword mounts are tight and secure the iron sword suspension rings. 

Saber comes with Private Wood’s military and pension records from the National Archives in Washington DC plus a copy of a letter written by Wood’s to his son, Harvey, in 1906 just before Zeno died. Identified wartime sabers are difficult to acquire on the market today and this specimen, with its great provenance, is an hones and complete saber that would compliment any Civil War edged weapon display or collection.