Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Now this is something truly extraordinary. The 1902 Army Officer’s Saber has been and is still the current sword used by officers of the U.S. Army. The final design of the M1902 was the result of many years of study and experimentation by Henry V. Allien & Company, in collaboration with several army officers after they approached Mr. Allien privately and requested he develop a more effective saber for the US military. This is one of the examples created during the trial period, bearing much resemblance to the 1902 with a few key differences. This example is Serial Number 1, as stamped onto the ricasso, and the scabbard. 

The saber has a 30½” blade, with an overall length of 35¾”. This makes it a small bit shorter than the final variation. The ricasso is marked:

J.B.A.
1

The scabbard is stamped 1 on the ring band. The grip of the hilt is the most recognizable part of the sword, being strikingly similar to the final variation of the 1902, but the handguard is far thicker and further from the hand, with a quillion on the end of the crossguard with two slotted holes as shown. 

After many years of research by Mr. Allien, including numerous trips to Europe and making a number of patterns with both straight and curved blades, a final design was completed and laid before General John C. Kelton, who was noted as being a skilled swordsman. He recommended making it less curved from center to point, the latter to be in line with the gripe, so as to give greater force in thrusting. Years later in June 1902, a board met in Washington DC to develop new regulations for Army uniforms, part of which induced the adoption of a new regulation saber. Henry V. Allien & Company submitted five pattern swords for the uniform board's consideration, three with straight blades and two with curved, and the Ordnance Department submitted a similar number. The result was that of the ten patterns, one of the Allien swords was adopted, the very one approved by General Kelton.

This is one of the scarcest swords we have ever offered, and is truly one-of-a-kind. Don’t miss out on this phenomenal opportunity to own a piece of Army history, an experimental trial sword for the 1902 Officer’s Saber, which is still in use today. Comes ready for further research and display!

Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 30 ½”
Blade Style: Curved Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 35 ¾“
Guard dimensions: 5 ¼" width x 5 ¼” length
Scabbard length: 31 ¾”