Cold Steel 1860 US Heavy Cavalry Saber
In stock
$299.99
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- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- 1055 High Carbon Steel
- Overall Length
- 41 5/8''
- Weight
- 2 lb 6.9 oz
- Brand
- Cold Steel
- Era
- 19th Century
Overview
Cold Steel 1860 US Heavy Cavalry Saber
At the outbreak of the American Civil War, there were two types of sabers issued to the Federal Cavalry: ''light'' and ''heavy''. The light version was popular, but the heavy model, dubbed the ''Old Wrist Breaker'' was the one worth owning, as it was a superior weapon. Its 36'' blade offered big reach advantages over most sabers, and its substantial weight gave it the leverage to easily crush bones and sever limbs or even a head with a single blow. The brass guard had three bars to protect the hand and the grip was wire bound leather and capped with a sturdy pommel. In its double ringed, steel scabbard, it could be easily attached to a saddle or to a belt.
The Cold Steel 1860 US Heavy Cavalry Saber features a sharpened 1055 carbon steel blade with a hard spring temper. The guard is brass with a leather covered, wire wrapped grip. Includes a steel scabbard with hanging rings.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Cold Steel
- Era
- 19th Century
- Pommel
- Nut
- Overall Length
- 41 5/8''
- Blade Length
- 35 1/2''
- Blade
- 1055 High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lb 6.9 oz
- Edge
- Sharp
- P.O.B.
- 6 3/4''
- Thickness
- 8.6 mm - 3.2 mm
- Width
- 31.8 mm
- Grip Length
- 4 1/8''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- India
- Type
- Saber
Reviews
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The Maker
Cold Steel
Cold Steel was founded in 1980; a stalwart of the knife community, Cold Steel also has a large selection of swords and daggers which are sourced from all over the world. Functional and competitively priced, Cold Steel products showcase a substantial variety of offerings and they cover martial arts weapons, historical swords, and robust tomahawks and practical machetes.
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Solid and fearsome I have owned my example since 2009, and it has been one of my very favorite blades. It has a distal taper, and is ruggedly constructed. This is also probably the longest bladed saber out there. It flexes when it needs to without being whippy. This sword is an excellent cutter that combines brute force with the finesse of the saber’s design. The downside: my only complaint is that this is a rather blade heavy sword, and is probably a tad heavy for a weapon of this type, though not to a degree that would make it unusable in combat. I would say that it is not a beginner’s weapon. You have to train for it. This is typical of the M1840 heavy cavalry saber design that this piece is actually based upon despite what Cold Steel names it. I would go so far as to say that in terms of balance and weight, the Cold Steel version is vastly superior to the 6 lb. monstrosities that the U.S. Dragoon used during the American Mexican War period. If you train for this weapon a bit, you will be rewarded for the effort.
Pretty good saber I like this saber. The grip is very comfortable and holds up nicely, and it cuts pretty well. It’s a bit heavy as far as saber’s go, but that’s kind of the point. My only complaints are the secondary bevel and the metal scabbard which can dull the blade if you don’t draw it correctly.
I have just ordered this sword,and I am awaiting delivery of it. The only flaw that I can see is this is actually an 1840 heavy cavalry saber. The heavy sword was not produced after 1858.The other issue is the hand guard which is the same as the 1860 saber.The outer bar on the 1840 hand guard is bent in toward the hand,something I can correct. You are correct that both types were used in the Civil War.
On my scale, this weights 2 lb 2, may even be a little less. I have decent wrist strength and endurance so this doesn’t feel that heavy for me.
I’m not a saber fencer expert and not even a backyard cutter, but loves to swing swords for my toy needs, and for anyone with enough wrist and forearm strength, you can even make small, almost precision strike with it, it’s just fun to play with, far away from other living things and furniture.
With enough wrist control, I reckon small precision cuts are doable.
For a reproduction saber, this one isn’t too forward balanced and the taper is just fine for me because there is a big difference between thickness at hilt and near the tip, which means I don’t feel like I’m swinging a long rebar and momentum with wrist snap comes into play far easier than sabers with very little differences between the thickness at hilt and near the tip.
It is a little bit minimalist for decor needs. Also the scabbard is nicely made. Recommended.
Beautiful sword, would be 5 stars were it not for the fact HALF of the blade edge closest towards wielder is purposely left unsharpened. This is not stated anywhere in the description. Only the furthest half of the edge is sharp. I won’t bother with a Cold Steel manufactured sword again. Other than that it seems built well and does look very nice.