UBB.threads Forums General Militaria United States Militaria 1860 Cavalry Saber?? Civil War Swords-Help?

I have 2 American civil war swords in my possession that belonged to my recently deceased father.

Our ancestors, including my heroic father in WWII, have been courageously fighting on behalf of their country's and their beliefs (dating as far back as the War of the Roses) for centuries. I found one of the swords (photo attached to this post) that I believe from my research is an 1860 Cavalry Saber and it has P17 on the grip.

My father use to tell my brother and I stories about how our family's forefather's fought on behalf of the North. He even spoke of Gettysburg quite often. One of our forefathers also most definitely fought in the Spanish American war (we have the medal he was honored with) and I believe it was his father that served on behalf of the North in the American Civil War.

Although my brother and my memories are remorsefully now a bit vague in recalling every detail of our historical childhood stories after all these years, we believe this sword was actually used by one of our forefathers at Gettysburg, however, we could be wrong.

The other sword that my brother is trying to locate somewhere in the house is (I believe) from the South. My mom put it away when my father became ill, so I don't have photos or have a lot of info on it as of yet (it was something my father purchased long before I was born and is not an heirloom). As soon as I know anything, I will post it, as well.

I would be so very grateful for someone(s)extremely knowledgeable assistance. I can email many more photos if they are needed.

My deepest thanks!

Best regards,

Lesley

Hello Lesley, and welcome to the forum.
Do you have a better close up of the grip/handguard?

Jerry~

Thank you so much for responding. Yes, I do have more photos of the grip~I will attach them and others to further replies on this post for your viewing. I would greatly appreciate any more knowledge you could share regarding our family's sword.

FYI~I have been researching the sword online all day and I believe I have identified it as an 1840 Heavy Calvary sword. Do you think I am correct in my deduction?

Once again, my deepest thanks!

Best regards,

Lesley

Another grip photo ;-)

And another ;-)

Yet another ;-)

One of the end of the tip of the grip ;-) (the pommel?)

Sword in it's cover (sheath?). ;-)

Another photo of the sword and sheath laying side by side. ;-)

Lesley,

It appears from your photos that the blade has a flat spine (back) instead of being rounded. Is that correct? This would indicate it is a Heavy Cavalry Sabre. It also appears that the grip has a swell in the middle. That would indicate it is a Light Cavalry (1860) Sabre. Are there any markings on the blade near the hilt?