Nathan Starr contracted with the U.S. government for 10,000 cavalry sabers in December 1818, and delivered them in batches from 1820 to 1822. This is a good example of the pattern, using an iron hilt and scabbard and fitted with a gently curving single edged blade with a wider fuller than on Starr’s other government work, and clip point with rudimentary false edge. Most were inspected by Luther Sage. This one is stamped on the obverse of the blade with Starr’s name under the US proof mark and Sage’s initials: “US / P / LS / N. STARR” with a little rubbing on the left of the “U” and “N” and the final “R” very light. The saber is also clearly marked with the date, “1821,” on the lower knucklebow as it forms the crossguard.

The blade is 31 3/4 inches long and 1 3/8 wide at the guard and in very good condition with smooth, muted silver-gray metal showing just some small darker gray spots, and a very good edge and point. The iron, reverse-P guard hilt has a mix of gray and thin brown that may be an old lacquer: many of these were blackened as a rust preventative. The grip has no wire, but the leather is good showing some rubs and small spots of flaking, but good brown color. The leather pad is still in place on the underside of the guard at the blade shoulders.

The scabbard is good- solid, with no holes, creases, or dents. Both rings are in place, are the internal throat springs. The surface is a crusty black with brown coming up where the blacking has flaked and some gray metal showing below the sling rings.  [sr] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!