US Model 1860 Cavalry Saber made by C. Roby & Company

Allied Forces > United States > Edged Weapons >

This specimen is a U.S. Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber and scabbard, the principal sword used by cavalry troopers during the Civil War and Indian Wars that followed. It was manufactured by C. (Christopher) Roby & Company of West Chelmsford, Massachusetts, primarily a cutting-tool maker who was awarded federal contracts during the Civil War for several models of regulations swords. Roby sabers were quality, dependable weapons, carried by both cavalrymen and officers, including General George Armstrong Custer, who owned a Roby M1860 saber as part of his personal sword collection.

The subject piece is a late-Civil War period enlisted man's saber with condition rating Very Fine-Excellent overall. The 34 13/16 inch curved blade has a 27 1/4 inch broad fuller and a 18 1/4 inch narrow fuller. Blade condition rates Very Fine, with much original polish and a few minor patches of light staining and scuffing. The obverse ricasso is stamped "U.S.", "1864", "A.G.M." in three lines while the reverse ricasso is maker-marked "C. ROBY" over an arched "W. CHELMSFORD" followed by "MASS" inside the arch, all in block letters. The letters "A.G.M." are believed to represent Ordnance Inspector Alfred Manning, although the official identity of Inspector "A.G.M." is unknown. The original leather buffer-pad is present at the guard. The wood grip is covered in black leather and wound with twisted brass wire, all original and in excellent condition. This example displays the unique Roby somewhat flat-sided grip profile, with the wire wrap continuing to the tail-end of the pommel. The domed, brass pommel cap has a small "m" inspection mark. The brass, half-basket guard consists of a knuckle-bow with two branches on the obverse side meeting an oval counterguard. All brass components have a nice, aged patina and are in excellent condition. The scabbard is bright steel, straight, undented and in very fine condition overall. The two suspension rings and mounts, throat-piece and drag are present with no visible markings.

The saber and scabbard are factory-original, straight, tight, and never disassembled with no alterations or replacement parts of any kind, accepted into service by U.S. Ordnance in 1864. C. Roby & Co. produced swords from about 1860 to 1867, when the firm went bankrupt, delivering almost all of the 48,000 regulation swords ordered by the U.S. Government between 1863 and 1865, M1860 Cavalry Sabers accounting for about 32,000 pieces of the total. When the Civil War ended, Roby received no further government sword contracts.

Included with this one is a Certificate of Authenticity from J&J Military Antiques from James Kaplan.