Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber
{{short description|U.S. Army cavalry sword}}
Image:J._Gurney_&_Son_-_J.E.B._Stuart.jpg with his 1860 saber. It is shorter, lighter and less curved than the 1840 model]]
File:Model 1858 Light Cavalry Saber army.mil-2007-04-08-045644.jpg
The Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber (also known as the M1862 as this was when the first 80,000 were issued){{sfnp|CAVHOOAH.COM, Cavalry Sabers}} is a long sword made of steel and brass, used by US cavalry from the American Civil War{{sfnp|Flynt|2006}} until the end of the Indian wars; some were still in use during the Spanish–American War.{{sfnp|U.S. Militaria, SAW Sabre}} It was {{convert|41|in|cm|0}} long with a {{convert|35|by|1|in|cm|abbr=on|adj=on}} blade and weighed {{convert|2|lb|4|oz|abbr=on}} alone or {{convert|3|lb|10|oz|abbr=on}} with iron scabbard.{{sfnp|Flynt|2006}}
Before the Civil War there was no light or heavy cavalry in the US army. Instead there were "Dragoons" (founded 1830) and "Mounted Riflemen" (founded c.1840).{{sfnp|Buford|2002}} In 1861 these mounted regiments were renamed cavalry and given yellow piping.{{sfnp|Pike|2011}}
The M1860 saber received its name to distinguish it from the larger and heavier Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber that it replaced. Like its predecessor it had a brass guard, leather-wrapped grip and steel scabbard but unlike the M1840 it was smaller and easier to handle.{{sfnp|Uhlan Boards, Civil War Cavalry - Wanted to Buy}}
By the end of the Civil War over 300,000 1860 sabers had been produced: 200,000 by Ames,{{sfnp |Lynch |2006 |p=74}} 32,000 by Roby and many more by firms such as Tiffany and Co, Glaze, Justice, and Emerson and Silver.{{sfnp|Civil War Swords, Swords for sale, buy}} M1860s were carried not only by cavalry but also by many infantry and staff officers as the regulation Model 1850 Army Staff & Field Officers' Sword had to be privately purchased. High-ranking officers, like their European counterparts, often had their swords ornately engraved with gilding and foliage. Famous users included George Armstrong Custer and J.E.B. Stuart.
Later in the Civil War large cavalry charges became less common{{sfnp|CAVHOOAH.COM, Cavalry Sabers}} and the cavalry took on the role of skirmishers.{{sfnp|Randolph|1905|p=82, 87}} Many replaced their sabers with extra revolvers, or left it in the saddle while fighting on foot{{sfnp|Authentic Campaigner, McClellan's 1861 Cavalry Regulations and Instructions}} with their repeating Henry rifles and Spencer carbines.
This is the sword the cavalry use in Westerns, many being original antiques purchased by the movie industry in the 1920s when surplus Civil War equipment was cheap.
This model is currently used in some U.S. Army Cavalry units in Color Guards, or when in period type uniforms.{{sfnp|Marlow White, Wearing the US Army Saber}} Most are given as PCS (Permanent Change of Station) or ETS (Expiration of Term of Service) gifts to a departing Cavalry Trooper. Usually engraved on the scabbard with his name, rank and dates of service. Some are also worn, in full Dress Blues, (when earned on a "Spur Ride" or combat tour) with Stetson and Spurs.{{sfnp|CAVHOOAH.COM, Cavalry Sabers}}
Notes
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References
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- {{cite book |last=Randolph |first=Lewis Hamersly |title=Biographical Sketches of Distinguished Officers of the Army and Navy |publisher=L.R. Hamersly |chapter=Brigadier-General John Watts de Peyster |edition=1st |date=1905 |location=New York, NY |pages=87 |language=en |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/biographicalsket00hame/page/87/mode/1up |chapter-url-access=registration |access-date=2008-09-23 |oclc=7475846 |chapter-format=PDF }}
- {{Cite journal |last=Lynch |first=Jacqueline T. |title=Manufacturing a War: The Ames Company and Chicopee, Massachusetts |journal=North & South |issn=1522-9742 |publisher=North & South Magazine, Inc. |volume=9 |issue=3 |date=June 2006 |pages=70–79 |url=https://northandsouthmag.com/marketplace/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |url-access=subscription }}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.cavhooah.com/sabers.htm|title=Cavalry sabers|date=February 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116012802/http://www.cavhooah.com/sabers.htm|archive-date=January 16, 2009 |access-date=2008-09-23 |ref={{sfnref|CAVHOOAH.COM, Cavalry Sabers}} }}
- {{cite web |df=mdy-all | url=http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18613 | title=Help needed - correct SAW sabre | publisher=U.S. Militaria Forum | date=April 15, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121120107/http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18613 | archive-date=November 21, 2018 |access-date=2008-09-23 | ref={{sfnref|U.S. Militaria, SAW Sabre}} }}
- {{cite web|last=Flynt |first=Sean A. |url=http://myarmoury.com/feature_lost_1860sab.html |title=Lost and Found: A U.S. Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber |publisher=
- {{cite web|df=mdy-all |author=Buford | url=https://civilwarhome.com/cavalry.htm | title=Light Cavalry vs. Dragoons | access-date=2020-11-14 | publisher=CivilWarHome.com | date=February 21, 2002 | website=Civil War Potpourri | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114000445/https://civilwarhome.com/cavalry.htm | archive-date = November 14, 2020 }}
- {{cite web |df=mdy-all |last=Pike |first=John |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/dragoon.htm |title=Dragoons |website=GlobalSecurity.org |date=May 7, 2011 |access-date=2013-07-18 }}
- {{cite web |url=http://uhlan.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=wanted&action=display&thread=281 |title=Civil War Cavalry - Wanted to Buy |access-date=2008-09-23 |url-status=dead |website=The Civil War Cavalry Forum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203114959/http://uhlan.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=wanted |archive-date=2009-02-03 |ref={{sfnref|Uhlan Boards, Civil War Cavalry - Wanted to Buy}} }}
- {{cite web |df=mdy-all |url=http://www.civilwar-swords.net/ |title=Civil War Swords for sale, buy Civil War Swords |access-date=2008-09-22 |url-status=dead |website=Civil War Swords |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603224758/http://civilwar-swords.net/ |archive-date=2010-06-03 |ref={{sfnref|Civil War Swords, Swords for sale, buy}} }}
- {{cite web |df=mdy-all |url=http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15971&highlight=saber%20saddle |title=Saber on the Saddle... |date=February 25, 2008 |access-date=2008-09-23 |url-status=dead |website=The Authentic Campaigner |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308051537/http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?15971-Saber-on-the-Saddle&highlight=saber%20saddle |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |ref={{sfnref|Authentic Campaigner, McClellan's 1861 Cavalry Regulations and Instructions}} }}
- {{cite web |last=White |first=Marlow |url=http://www.militarysabers.com/how-to-wear-the-army-saber.html |title=Wearing the US Army Saber |access-date=2008-09-18 |publisher=Marlow White Swords & Sabers |date=December 3, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081111032317/http://www.militarysabers.com/how-to-wear-the-army-saber.html |archive-date=November 11, 2008 |ref={{sfnref|Marlow White, Wearing the US Army Saber}} }}
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Category:Swords of the United States