US 1860 Light CAVALRY SABER

The Iconic US 1860 Light Cavalry Saber is a long saber made of steel and brass, used by both the Union and Confederate cavalry during the American Civil War.  

The 1860 saber received its name to distinguish it from the larger and heavier Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber that it replaced. Like its predecessor M1840 it had a brass guard, leather-wrapped grip and steel scabbard but unlike the M1840 it was smaller and easier to handle.  M1860s were carried not only by cavalry but also by many infantry and staff officers.   

High-ranking officers, often had their swords ornately engraved with gilding and foliage. Famous 1860 saber owner's included Union general George Armstrong Custer and Confederate general J.E.B. Stuart.  

Except for a few early German imports, the majority of 1860 sabers were produced in the US, primarily by Ames Manufacturing Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts, a major provider of side arms, swords, light artillery, and heavy ordnance for the Union in the American Civil War, and by firms such as Tiffany and Co in New York and Emerson and Silver in Trenton, New Jersey.  

LK Chen US 1860 Cavalry Saber is created after very detailed study of an 1864 Emerson & Silver antique saber.  

Specifications 

Sword only weight:  approx. 1023.5 g (2 lb. 4.1 oz) 

Blade length: 89 cm (35")   

Handle length total: 15 cm (5.9")   

Handle length within D ring: 11 cm (4.25") 

Total length: 104 cm  (40.95") 

Gradual tapering 

Width at hand guard: 27 mm (1")   

Width at tip: 19 mm   (0.76")

Thickness:  

8.0 mm at the guard 

3..0 mm near the tip  

POB: 10.5 cm (4.13")  from hand guard  

Peen pommel as in the original saber.

A long gentle sweeping curve blade with a short 1.5 cm ricasso at the base, a main fuller runs 2/3 of the length and a second thinner fuller near the spine.  

GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel  

(Compare to AISI/SAE 5160 spring steel)  

Element %       60Si2MnA    AISI/SAE 5160    

Carbon            0.56-0.64      0.56-0.61 

Silicon              1.60-2.00       0.15-0.35 

Manganese     0.60-0.90      0.75-1.00 

Phosphorus     <=0.030        <=0.035 

Sulfur               <=0.030        <=0.040 

Chromium       <=0.35          0.70-0.90 

Nickel               <=0.35          <=0.25  

Superior heat treatment:   

Hardness 53-55 HRC.  

Cast brass hand guard and pommel cap. Hilt covered with thin real leather and wrapped with twisted brass wire.

Steel scabbard with true to historical specimen's scabbard spring steel throat piece to securely held the sword in the scabbard.