kevikens
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2013
- Location
- New Jersey
I recently acquired a model 1840 artillery saber from C. Roby, Chelmsford, Mass. dated 1864. There is nothing unusual about it except the handle and guard which do not appear to be either brass or steel but some kind of "white metal" different from the blade which is typical steel of the period. I also do not think it is a nickel plating. It looks almost like very old aluminum (too expensive in 1864). A magnet shows that, whatever it is, it is not ferrous as while the blade attracts a magnet the guard does not. A number 23 appears on two places. I am sorry for my inability to post photos but I was hoping some collector might know about what this other metal might be and why it would be different from the usual yellow brass. Thanks for any help.
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