Original Item. Only One Available. This Heavy Cavalry Saber, known as "Old Wristbreaker" among troops, was designated the U.S. Model of 1840, but was widely used in the War between the States on both sides.

This fair example is marked W. WALSCHEID, SOLINGEN. This Company’s history is very short and does not seem to have extended beyond the Civil War. The only blades known to be made by this firm are the P1822 British cavalry officer’s saber and the M1840 US enlistedman’s and officers sabers.

Both North and South imported Swords and guns from Europe and European Manufacturers, mostly in Germany, and they did not want the eventual "winning side" to be able to blame them for "supplying the enemy" so most of the imports were left blank.

This sword conforms closely to the M-1840 U.S. Heavy Cavalry pattern, and is approximately 42 inches in overall length. It has a brass wire bound leather grip which is in very rough condition, with much of the leather gone and the wire loose. The hilt bears a brass three branch handguard fitted to a heavy curved blade measuring 36⅛”, coming complete with its heavy all steel scabbard.

The blade itself has a nice aged patina with some nicks and dents to the edge of the blade, and the tip of the blade has become a small bit rounded. There is some light oxidation to the blade as well. The hilt is no longer tight and is a bit loose on the sword, with the leather-wrapped grip only retaining about 30% of the leather. The wire wrap is still all present, but due to the leather loss it has become very loose on the grip. This example could definitely use some work. The scabbard is in fair shape with both of its rings retained, and a heavy amount of pitting at the opposite end of the scabbard as seen. There are a few small dents to the scabbard but nothing too serious. The patina and age match the sword itself well.

A great example of a Civil War Era M-1840 Wristbreaker Saber, ready for further research and display.

Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 36 ⅛”
Blade Style: Single Edged Curved Saber with Wide Fuller
Overall length: 41 1/2“
Basket dimensions: 5" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 38”

The Model 1840 Cavalry Saber was based on the 1822 French hussar's sabre. Unlike its replacement, the Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber, the M1840 has a ridge around its quillon, a leather grip wrapped in wire (rather than grooves cut into the wooden handle) and a flat, slotted throat. It is 44" long with a 35" blade and weighs roughly 2.5 lbs.

The M1840 was designed for slashing and because of its heavy flat-backed blade was given the nickname "Old Wristbreaker." It was adopted due to the army's dissatisfaction with its predecessor, the model 1833 Dragoon Saber, the first cavalry sword adopted by the US Army.

The iron-hilted M1833 was based on a Napoleonic-era British sword used by heavy cavalry and reputed to wrap "rubber like around a man's head and was only good for cutting butter" An ornate gilded version of this earlier sword was used by General Philip Sheridan during the Civil War; Sheridan had its sheath engraved with the battles he participated in.

It was evident a replacement was needed so in 1838 the US Ordnance Dept bought British, French and Prussian swords and field-tested them. The troopers overwhelmingly preferred the French saber, and a copy of it was put into production in 1844. A total of 2000 were ordered and by 1846, 600 were in frontline service.

The 1840 saber was used during the U.S.-Mexican War by US Cavalry. The main contractors were Ames of Cabotville, Horstmann, and Tiffany but due to the large number of swords required at least 1000 were made in Germany by S&K and imported. Some troopers used Prussian sabers as an alternative, which in contrast to the M1840 had straight blades.

When production ceased in 1858 over 23,700 were made. During the US Civil War it continued to be issued to Union Cavalry as in the early years it was more readily available than the M1860. George B McClellan carried one at the front, keeping his regulation officer's sword for full dress occasions. Many were also used by the Confederacy including General Nathan Bedford Forrest who had both edges of his sword sharpened to increase combat effectiveness.