Presented here in excellent original condition is a totally unmarked, silver mounted saber commonly used in America during the Federal period and later in the early 18^th century. Produced by an unknown silversmith, this slightly curved, fire-blued specimen is a quality saber that was carried during the War of 1812 and attributed to an unknown ancestor of William H. Kable, founder of the Staunton (VA) Military Academy in 1884. Saber comes with an old paper tag that bears the following handwritten note in black ink, “Sword used in war 1812 belonging to uncle or great uncle of Wm H. Kable. Hung for years under mounted in his study in Kable residence.” Pre-printed on the lower portion of the tag is “MRS. THOS. H. RUSSELL / KABLE STATION / STAUNTON, VIRGINIA.” No other information accompanied the saber and little or no research has been done as yet on Kable’s 1812 uncle or great-uncle ancestor. Makes for a great project to undertake.

Saber carries no maker’s mark, is 38½” in total length and features a reverse “P” silver hilt fitted to a 33½” long, slightly curved, single-edged blade. Has a 28” long wide stopped fuller that runs from the hilt to 5½” from the point. Steel blade exhibits an 8½” long fire-blued section on both flats that extends from the ricasso and terminates in a straight vertical line. Traces of the original fire bluing are visible. Engraved floral and military motifs in gold are quite visible and clear. Blade back is wide and flat. Blade flats show areas of very light pitting and areas of dark oxidation overall. Blade edge exhibits few light nicks some 9” to 10” from tip. Remnants of the original leather washer or pad remain.

The sword features a three-piece, silver hilt made up of a stylized ‘lion head’ long necked pommel and silver backstrap, a reverse ‘P’ knucklebow and guard with a small disc finial, and a silver ferrule at the bottom of grip. The back strap runs over, not under the ferrule. Saber never has a leather wrap but its grips are carved wood in a spiral pattern and show age and light cracking near the backstrap area. Handle exhibits double strands of single twist silver wire wrap that flank a scalloped silver band. Wire wrap is loose in areas. The guard / knucklebow is a thin strap of silver with the reverse “P” type pattern. It is not pierced for a sword knot. Quillon above the blade is a small disc finial. The silver back strap starts at the counterguard on top of the silver ferrule and expands to a wider pommel cap in the form of a stylized Lion’s Head. Pommel has a capstan rivet and extends to the top strap on the handle. Engraving from the capstan continues for about a third of the strap length. Counterguard is plain with no decorative tooling.

Original black leather scabbard body is in fair to poor overall condition with major flaking, and scuffing overall. Body surface exhibits strong stitching, but is dry and cracking. Scabbard is mounted with a silver throat, a middle band and two rings but it is missing the silver drag. Both existing silver mounts are loosely attached to the scabbard body.

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