Real or Faux? Model 1860 Saber - DJ Millard ??

[ksuperduty]

Hello All, first post. We found this saber in my father-in-law's basement after he passed away. No one in the family seems to know anything about it. I dug around on Google to try and figure out what it is, but I have no idea if it is authentic or a reproduction. Seems to check most of the boxes as original, but I have zero experience, and I apologize if my terminology isn't correct. There are no markings on the scabbard at all, but I tried to take a pic of the solder line that is visible for most of its length. Pommel is stamped twice with armorers initials. The leather seems to be in suspiciously good condition considering its age. I haven't attempted to clean anything, and I'm happy to try and take different pics if that would be helpful.

Does this saber appear to be an original or a reproduction? FIL was a great guy, and thank you in advance for your expertise.

 

[R. Porter]

Looks good to me. And, if you check the website below, which is old and probably hasn't been updated since 2005 or so, you'll find that CEW, Charles E. Wilson, was an inspector for cavalry swords made by D. J. Millard in 1862.

CW Sword Inspectors

 

[R. Porter]

Oh, and the sword looks like it has been cleaned at some time and probably had its grip redone and a new leather washer put on.

 

[UCVRelics]

Looks right as rain. Millard only had 1 contract for 10,000 he received in late 1861 so all of them have a 1862 date. Nice pieces Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[ksuperduty]

Thank you for the replies.

It's fantastic to know that it doesn't look like a reproduction, and I suspected as much about the grip possibly being replaced. It probably has been cleaned at some point in the distant past, however, I edited the color settings quite a bit for the pommel pictures in an effort to help the inspector's stamps stand out a bit. Fortunately the brass isn't nearly that yellow in person.

Is it still possible to find original period correct hangers for these? Is there a technical term for whatever attached the scabbard to the soldier? Where might one look to find such a thing?

 

[bayonet]

Thank you for the replies.

It's fantastic to know that it doesn't look like a reproduction, and I suspected as much about the grip possibly being replaced. It probably has been cleaned at some point in the distant past, however, I edited the color settings quite a bit for the pommel pictures in an effort to help the inspector's stamps stand out a bit. Fortunately the brass isn't nearly that yellow in person.

Is it still possible to find original period correct hangers for these? Is there a technical term for whatever attached the scabbard to the soldier? Where might one look to find such a thing?

Good luck with that finding original period hanging straps that the leather isn't brittle and in terrible shape. The metal clips should be fine but I've never seen them with fine leather straps, but they maybe out there. Why bother most if not all of us display them as is.

 

[bobinwmass]

If you are planning to display it hanging from a leather belt or straps, I agree with @bayonet, they are much to fragile and you are likely to damage an item with historical significance. I use reproduction belts for such displays but put an original buckle on the belt.

 

[bobinwmass]

If you going to display it laying flat in a case, like mine below, original belts are out there, but you'll need to look specifically for a cavalry style belt with the over the shoulder strap to be correct.

 

[ksuperduty]

Deleted

 

[ksuperduty]

If you going to display it laying flat in a case, like mine below, original belts are out there, but you'll need to look specifically for a cavalry style belt with the over the shoulder strap to be correct.

View attachment 526973

Thank you bobinwmass. Nice case!

I assumed there was some just some kind of clip with leather straps that attached to a belt to hang the saber. I wasn't aware that the belt, shoulder strap, and hangers were more or less one complete item. What is the strap attached to the hand guard called?

 

[bobinwmass]

Thank you bobinwmass. Nice case!

I assumed there was some just some kind of clip with leather straps that attached to a belt to hang the saber. I wasn't aware that the belt, shoulder strap, and hangers were more or less one complete item. What is the strap attached to the hand guard called?

The leather strap hanging from the guard is a saber knot. The straps for hanging the sword from the belt and the shoulder strap can be detached from the belt. Depending on the age and maker of the belt, they may have metal clips similar to those found on old dog chains, or brass studs as on my belt.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Thank you bobinwmass. Nice case!

I assumed there was some just some kind of clip with leather straps that attached to a belt to hang the saber. I wasn't aware that the belt, shoulder strap, and hangers were more or less one complete item. What is the strap attached to the hand guard called?

They are not one thing. They saber belt has metal parts where those straps connect. The belt can be worn without any straps attached. The hook will still be on the belt. Shoulder straps isn't necessary. It helps when the holster and cartridge boxes are on the belt but just a saber it isn't necessary.