IMPORTED OFFICER’S SABER OF MAURICE LEYDEN, THIRD NEW YORK CAVALRY

IMPORTED OFFICER’S SABER OF MAURICE LEYDEN, THIRD NEW YORK CAVALRY

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5 Image 6 Image 7 Image 8 Image 9 Image 10 Image 11 Image 12 Image 13 Image 14 Image 15

$1,250.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1268-777U

This officer's saber, along with several other items, came directly from the Leyden family in 1998 and within a few months was in the Ray Richey collection.  Maurice Leyden was 22 years of age when he enrolled at Syracuse in the military June 12, 1861. By July of 1861 he was a second lieutenant of Co. B Third New York Cavalry (aka Van Alan Cavalry). On June 12th, 1863, he was promoted to a 1st lieutenant. His service was that of the 3rd New York cavalry's. Please refer to this link (https://civilwarintheeast.com/us-regiments-batteries/new-york-regiments-and-batteries/3rd-new-york-cavalry/). Leyden was captured in action at Darbytown road near Richmond. This was the last advance by the Army of Northern Virginia north of the James River.  The battle began successfully at dawn on October 7, 1864, as the combined Confederate assault overpowered the Union cavalry stationed on Darbytown Road. Two hours elapsed before the attack could continue, however, giving Union Gen. Alfred H. Terry time to redeploy his division to face the Confederate attack in the fields just north of there. The attack soon fell apart, and the remnants of the Confederate force withdrew west to their original defensive lines. Lee’s last advance north of the James River resulted in more than 1,000 Confederate casualties while the Federals suffered fewer than 500. Leyden was subsequently confined in three rebel prisons, Salisbury, Danville and Libby. On February 22, 1865, he was paroled and officially exchanged April 1, 1865. He was given a captain's commission in absentia December 22, 1864, retroactive to October 10, 1864. Leyden returned to the 3rd New York cavalry as a captain shortly after April 1, 1865. Within 3 months he transferred to Co, B 1st Mounted Rifles.  The designation of the regiment was changed to the 4th Provisional Cavalry on September 6, 1865. On November 29, 1865, he mustered out with his company. In January 1866 he was brevetted a major of US volunteers. Please click on this link for more on this interesting soldier (Emerging Civil War). After the war he was also variously president of the American Dental Association, the Rochester Savings and Loan Association and the Davis & Leyden dental equipment manufacturing company, Monroe County Clerk, first secretary of the Rochester Title Insurance Company and supervisor of Rochester's 8th Ward and was active in the GAR and the 3rd NY Cavalry Association. He died in 1906.

This sword is a French inspired imported officer's sword of the Modele 1822/31 type. These were copied by the US and called the Model 1840 cavalry officer's saber. Based on the condition there is little doubt Leyton carried this sword continually. The sword is of good quality with deeply cast floral motifs on the brass hilt, including leaves along the edge of the pommel cap, a geometric flower at the upper end of the knuckle bow with overlapping leaves below, and more floral and geometric elements at the ends of the branches where they meet the guard. The inside of the quillon shows a symmetrical geometric and floral knot. The hilt shows the effects of years in the saddle being rather out of shape and having a couple of small stress cracks. The sharkskin grip wrap is 75% in place, with nice deep gray color. The single strand twisted binding wire is in place and tight. The brass has a mellow patina. The un-embellished 37-inch blade is bright with surface grime only. The scabbard was blued, and this is now mixed with an age brown patina. It has the "spur and heal" dents one would expect to see on the lower 8 inches particularly on the inside. The sword is either French or German made. When removed from display at the Texas Civil War Museum it was discovered that the hilt and grips were loose; accordingly, the sword was put into the hands of a restorer to rectify that minor issue.    [pe][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!

Inquire About IMPORTED OFFICER’S SABER OF MAURICE LEYDEN, THIRD NEW YORK CAVALRY

should be empty