US697.)CIVIL WAR UNION M1860 CAVALRY SABER, DESIRABLE MAKER: a nice example in the typical serviceable condition after having served in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars too no doubt. 43" long with curved steel blade showing a dark, plumb brown shade finish. Mild wear and age only to surface and a few mild dings to edge. Ricasso is crisply marked to the very desirable and rarely encountered maker 'MANSFIELD & LAMB, FORESTDALE, R.I.'. Has brown leather buffer pad. Opposite ricasso is crisply marked with 'U.S.' and date '1865' along with inspector's initials stamp 'C.E.W.' (Charles E. Wilson). Completely intact brown leather wrap on grip, mild wear and age only. Wire wrap too is completely intact. Brass basket hilt and pommel....brass is dark with years of unpolished patina. Point on blade is perfect too. Steel scabbard is smooth and natural. Brazing repairs to the edge of scabbard throat where is was mended years and years ago. Scabbard shows a couple of scattered service dents here and there, no big deal at all. Some oxidation browning to scabbard scattered around, mostly bright and natural however. EXC++++

According to the website Ridgeway CW Research, Mansfield and Lamb furnished only 37,500 M1860 cavalry sabers on an 1864-1865 US government contract.