Fresh out of Kentucky – and to the best of my knowledge new to the market since its left the attic from whence it came – a nice Memphis Novelty Works Confederate cavalry saber in ‘attic’ condition. The blade has the classic unstopped fuller and is in overall great condition with some very mild surface pitting noted. There are a couple ‘nicks’ in the blade from contact, but you really have to look for them, and be careful when you do, because this blade still retains quite an edge. We’ve all heard the stories about having their edges sharp, but this one is.

The brass guard has a dark patina throughout and is as solid as a rock. There is no wiggle or displacement noted as far as the pommel cap or basket. You can see that the outside branch is bent inwards slightly, evidence of use. The tang mound on the pommel cap is as smooth as a baby’s butt and is slightly oxidized indicating that it has not been removed at all. As you can see in the images, the guard is marked in the three lined: “ MEMPHIS / NOVELTY WORKS / THos LEECH & Co.” 

As you can see by the images, the grip remains untouched and does show some wear. You can see through the wrap, the solid piece of wood used and the hemp twine wrapped around it to create the texture of the grip. This is overlaid by what appears to be oil cloth and then wrapped with a double strand of copper wire. The entire grip is worn in such a way that each stage of the assembly is exposed. It appears that one section of the twine had separated and so a very small amount of archival safe adhesive was applied to keep the twine from unraveling. Besides that, the grip is entirely untouched or messed with.

The sword comes with the correct scabbard for the sword, but like so many in its condition has lost the brass throat, which was soldered on, and the brass drag applied in the same fashion. Otherwise the metal scabbard is as crude as the day it was made clearly displaying the lap seam down the spine. It does retain the two this brass mounts, which have patina the same hughe as the brass on the sword. There is no major damage noted on the scabbard, other than a push towards where the drag would go, causing it to ‘kick’ out a little bit. Nonetheless, the sword fits nicely into the scabbard.

This sword (like others manufactured in West Tennessee), represent the impact that the fall of Fort Donelson & Henry, and subsequently the fall of Island No. 10 on the Mississippi, had on suppliers of the Confederate Army early in the war. Like so many other manufacturers of goods, Thomas Leech would begin manufacturing weapons and accoutrements for the Confederacy in September of 1861 and would do so through May of 1862 after the fall of Memphis. We can surmise that it would have been during this early period of the firm’s existence that this sword was manufactured due to the ‘Memphis Novelty Works’ marking.

There aren’t many of these coming out of the bushes like they used to – and as far as the verbal history goes, I am literally the third person to hold it. Straight out of Southern Kentucky ( Russellville Area ).

M1860 Mansfield & Lamb with a rare early date of 1862. The sword is complete with original scabbard and leather wire wrap. The scabbard shows the normal dings and dents associated with use and age. There is no active rust on the scabbard and remains intact with throat and rings. The blade has a nice clean finish with very light pitting noted peppered throughout and the leather washer is present. The brass has a nice mellow patina, as one likes to see. The markings show up well on both sides of the ricasso, with ‘U.S. / L.D / 1862 opposite the Mansfield & Lamb. The sword fits tightly into the scabbard with no wiggle. This is an overall very solid sword with the aesthetics and the early date to add eye appeal and value to any collection. Mansfield and Lamb has a manufacturing history dating back to 1824 and was at that time under a different name. Located in Forestdale, Rhode Island (which the firm owned), the manufacturer like so many at the beginning of the war had very little to no experience in making edged weapons. Thought the firm was very successful in manufacturing scythes and operating a cotton mill, by August 1861 they would be awarded a government contract for 10,000 cavalry sabers. The company only delivered approximately 6,000 sword by April 1862, causing the firm to nearly lose their contract. Between the Government hearings regarding their lack in production and their own growing pains in poor manufacturing between late 1861 and 1862 somewhat accounts for the rarity of the early dated Mansfield and Lamb swords. According to Thillmann's Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers the initial 1861 order of 10,000 swords were delivered and approximately 500 swords between February and June 1862.

M1840 Officer's Cavalry Saber marked 'W.Walsche / Solingen'. The original leather wrap & brass wire is 95% present and in overall good condition, with a little TLC, it should clean up really nice. The brass guard has a nice mellow patina and exhibits a few unique minor casting flaws and fits snug. The blade has a nice bright finish and reveals a beautiful floral/vine engraving throughout. The 'U.S.' is light, but can be seen and opposite is the 'E. Pluribus Unum' with eagle and shield on the opposite side. There is also engraving on the top of the blade. The maker's mark can easily be seen on the ricasso with the other side being blank. The leather washer is lost to time. There is nothing to complain about with the scabbard either. Its all complete, with mount and rings. No active oxidation is noted. There are a couple of dings, as with most scabbards, between the mounts. This is a great looking sword and a style that you don't see for sale that often.

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