Confederate “Dog River” Cavalry Saber / SOLD

Confederate “Dog River” Cavalry Saber - Inventory Number: CON 414 / SOLD

Confederate cavalry saber complete with original scabbard falling into the “Dog River” category, a term coined by pioneer Confederate authority William Albaugh, he noted that every Confederate state had a Dog River and that an early soldier's letter stated that he had just picked up a saber from the Dog River Factory and the term is used to denote "unknown Confederate manufacture” now the “named” category for swords not yet identifiable to a specific maker. This saber generally follows the US M1840 configuration with brass pommel and three branch guard. The grip curves and narrows slightly toward the pommel but has no center swell. The grooved grip is wrapped with brown leather that has a nice color and surface. The grip is wrapped with an iron wire showing fourteen turns. The pommel, branches and counterguard have a nice, untouched, aged patina. The blade is a classic Confederate, following standard lines with a gentle curve, single edge, and unstopped fuller, and folds and imperfections present throughout. The point is good. 

The scabbard is well made, with rivet-fastened flat-mouthed brass throat and narrow brass ring bands. The overlap seam is quite visible, but better finished than on some CS sabers. The iron drag is nicely proportioned, and the end of scabbard tube is rounded rather than crudely squared. Both iron carrying rings are in place. There are some shallow dings, mostly on the reverse between the bands where it would be banging against the trooper’s thigh or his saddle, and one dent on the obverse just below the lower ring band perhaps qualifying as a “rattle dent,” intentionally applied to keep the saber in place and prevent rattling while in motion. The surface is very smooth and solid with no holes, and substantial remnants of brown finish on metal.

This is a very good Confederate cavalryman’s saber and scabbard, complete, all original, that displays very nicely and is recognizably southern from a long distance away. It would make a great addition to cavalry collection or even a specialized collection of CS cavalry sabers.

Inventory Number: CON 414 / SOLD