A no-doubt-about-it Confederate cavalry saber complete with original scabbard falling into the “Dog River” category, Albaugh’s romantically named category for swords not yet identifiable to a specific maker. This generally follows the US M1840 configuration with brass pommel and three branch guard (knucklebow and two side branches.) The grip curves and narrows slightly toward the pommel but has no center swell. The grooved grip is wrapped with brown leather that has a nice color and surface for the most part but does show two small, old, wear spots exposing the wood on the upper rear obverse where the ridges of a trooper’s palm would rub it. The small bit of exposed wood was polished by long handling and shows almost the same color and finish as the leather. The grip is wrapped with loosely twisted iron wire showing twelve turns. The pommel, branches and counterguard have a nice, untouched, aged patina. The counterguard is contoured, with a lower edge, but the underside was left unfinished and shows fine sandcasting. The oval brown leather blade pad is in place on the underside of the guard and all there, though with crazing to the finish and a few small chips. The blade is typically Confederate, following standard lines with a gentle curve, single edge, and unstopped fuller. The point is good and the edge shows only a small nick about where the fuller runs out.

The scabbard is well made, with rivet-fastened flat-mouthed brass throat and narrow brass ring bands, the lower one somewhat taller than the upper. The overlap seam is quite visible, but better finished than on some CS sabers. The iron drag is nicely proportioned and the end of scabbard tube is rounded rather than crudely squared. Both iron carrying rings are in place. There are some shallow dings, mostly on the reverse between the bands where it would be banging against the trooper’s thigh or his saddle, and one dent on the obverse just below the lower ring band perhaps qualifying as a “rattle dent,” intentionally applied to keep the saber in place and prevent rattling while in motion. The surface shows some crustiness, but is solid, has no holes, and substantial remnants of what its original black or brown paint with some flaking or wear showing some gray/brown metal beneath.

This is a very good Confederate cavalryman’s saber and scabbard, complete, all original, that displays very nicely and is recognizably southern from a long distance away. It would make a great addition to cavalry collection or even a specialized collection of CS cavalry sabers. [sr] [ph:L]

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