Original American Revolutionary War Era English Dragoon Horseman’s Saber – Circa 1775-1785 Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a semi-relic condition example of the classic English Revolutionary War Period Horseman’s Saber, in very solid condition. A similar Horseman’s Saber is pictured and documented on Page 153 of George Neuman’s book Swords & Blades of the American Revolution.

This example is a very good example with the four-slot counterguard, rounded counterweight pommel. The original wooden grip is intact, and in surprisingly good condition despite being in semi-relic condition. Overall, the saber exhibits pitting throughout. Despite this, the saber overall is rather tight, with relatively little wobble between the guard and blade/handle. Due to the pitted nature of the metal, no maker marks are visible on the ricasso of the blade.

This saber remained true to earlier styles, and could be described as an all around backsword, except it was much longer than the infantry carried. The very long blade is approximately 36 inches in length, with an overall length of 42 ½”. The blades were large, shallowly fullered, with a secondary deeper fuller straight, with a spear point, and heavy. The bars of the guard wrapped the hand for protection, again similar to the infantry backswords.

The grip, which would have originally been wrapped in leather or rayskin, and bound with copper twisted wire. Scabbards were produced in steel, wrought iron, and leather with metal fittings. The scabbards were fashioned with a protruding nub that fits into a corresponding hole on the frog or baldric, keeping it from rotating or shifting up and down.

This is a great example of Revolutionary War Saber, ready for display!

Specifications:

Blade length: 36”
Blade style: Straight Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 42 1/2”
Guard Dimensions: 5 1/2″W x 5″L