Swords at the Little Big Horn (Part II)

[Jeff D]

Hi Jim and Chris,

I measured a some of my sabers a couple years ago and got these numbers:

M1840 Total length 41.75"
Blade length 36"
Width of blade at Hilt 1.25"

M1860 Total length 41"
Blade length 35.25"
Width of blade at Hilt 1"

M1872 Total length 37.5"
Blade length 32"
Width of blade at Hilt .75"

Unfortunately they are not accessable now for weighing.
John Thillman in Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers on Page 23 gives the typical length for a M1860 blade as 34 1/2 to 35 inches. I think the example you had might be a little short. I will see if I can find some references to weights later tonight.

All the Best
Jeff

[Jeff D]

Hi All,

I was able to find the Regulations of 1861:

For the light Cavalry saber the weights are as follows.
Weight of the sword or saber complete (Saber and scabbard) = 3 lb. 7 oz.
Weight of finished blade= 1 lb. 6 oz.
Weight of scabbard= 1 lb 4 oz.

It appear that Mr Frost was using the finished blade weight from the regulations rather than the total saber weight which is around 2 lbs as Chris noticed (the alternate is that he was using the weight of a M1872 which would be close to his weight but not used by anyone). In any event his numbers would appear wrong, an excellent observation.

Back to the original topic, I wonder how Butterfield and Butterfield linked the Roby saber to the General rather than his civilian nephew (also killed at Little Big Horn)? I wonder if it would have fetched $32,000?

All the Best
Jeff

[Chris Evans]

Jim and Jeff,

You two are providing us with truly amazing material - Great contribution and do keep it up. It is rewarding to read the learned responses that this thread elicited from the participants.

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

The problem with the Custer sword was in its blade length it seems to me, as it was a dragoon type broadsword blade of a form intended for entirely different use than the techniques used by latter 19th century cavalrymen.It would be easy to see how a blade of such heft used contrary to its intended design would be unwieldy and seem extraordinarily heavy as a result.

Right on and well stated.

Cheers
Chris

[James Farrand]

Hi,
Does anyone have any further info on this saber with ACMP scrolled on it? What the ACMP stands for?

[Jim McDougall]

Hello James, and welcome to our forum!!!
It is great to see this old thread back, and over the course of several years some fantastic information was compiled and exchanged .

I must confess I am unclear on which sabre you are referring to, and hopefully myself or some of the others might be able to retrace .

Thank you again for bringing this thread back

All best regards
Jim

[Jeff D]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Hello James, and welcome to our forum!!!
It is great to see this old thread back, and over the course of several years some fantastic information was compiled and exchanged .

I must confess I am unclear on which sabre you are referring to, and hopefully myself or some of the others might be able to retrace .

Thank you again for bringing this thread back

All best regards
Jim

Hi Jim,

James is refering to one of Custer's sabers that was in the posession Of Colonel Brice Custer refered to in my quote from Little Bighorn Associates Research Review Volume VIII Fall Number 3, in post number 27. It sounds like the letters are etched and not stamped.


Jeff

[Jeff D]

Originally Posted by James Farrand

Hi,
Does anyone have any further info on this saber with ACMP scrolled on it? What the ACMP stands for?

Most likely this saber was a gift from one of GAC's classmate and friend Alexander C.M. Pennington. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexan...Pennington,_Jr.


Jeff

[sirupate]

Fabulous thread