Mounted Coast Guard sabre

[kronckew]

interesting, the sea version is about 4 in. shorter than the mounted version, which is about 4 in. shorter than the 1796 lc sabre used by the cavalry. a fairly std. progression it seems, navy afloat likes the shorter hangers for tight shipboard use, infantry like a length that is less likely to hit the ground when swung (that's coincidentally 29in. for me - my uscg dress sword is a 29 incher, and cavalry like the longer ones so they can hit infantry closer to the ground and don't have the restrictions of the others. i put the riding officers in that infantry category as they were more likely to be dismounted when the used theirs, bit like police of the time.

[kronckew]

it just arrived.

stats:
Length Over All=35in. in scabbard, 34.5 out.
grip is 4.25 in.,29 in. blade, 1 3/8 in. wide at guard, 1 1/4 further along until hatchet point. 5/16 in. thick at guard, distal tapers down to a quite thin tip of about 1/16 in. blade is in excellent condition, a few black spots but no active rust or pitting., no markings on blade or guard. peened pommel end.

weight of sword only is 919 grams (32.4 oz or 2.02 lb.), scabbard is 506 grams, 1.1 lb.), POB is 5in. in front of the guard.

and now the fun part. the guard is brass, not cast iron, and so is the blackened and ribbed grip, black is wearing off the raised part & brass shows thru.

the scabbard is actually steel, appears to have been covered in a thin cloth (silk?) and lacquered black, patches where this has come off are red rusty, but unholed. i will get rid of the active rust & stabilise. scabbard fittings are brass.

a cool sword overall, will add to my favourites list.

[kronckew]

adjusted photo i just took of the left side. the blade is bright, the reddish color is a photo artefact. this side has smaller patches missing on the scabbard, and emphasises the brass ribbed grip, the brass looks darker in real light.