Model 1840 US Cavalry Saber – Universal Swords
In stock
$209.99
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel
- Overall Length
- 39 3/4''
- Weight
- 2 lb 2.6 oz
- Brand
- Universal Swords
- Culture
- American
- Era
- 19th Century
Overview
Model 1840 US Cavalry Saber - Universal Swords
Here is the Model 1840 US Cavalry Saber - the famous Old Wristbreaker. The M1840 is often regarded as the US heavy cavalry sword, in comparison to the M1860 light cavalry sword. With a thick, flat spine and M1840 was a brutal slashing sword. It was based on the 1822 French Hussar Saber and was seen as a necessary replacement for the M1833 dragoon saber. The M1840 was produced throughout the Civil War and was used alongside the M1860, particularly in the early years of the war when it was more available. The Model 1840 was chosen among a selection of British, French and Prussian swords that the US Army acquired in 1838 - the soldiers who tested them overwhelmingly preferred the French sword, which became the template for the M1840. The sword was manufactured by various US companies, but blade production was also sometimes outsourced to foreign countries, particularly Germany to keep up with demand.
This M1840 US Heavy Cavalry Saber has an unsharpened, tempered high carbon steel blade. The blade is stamped with the recreated 1862 marking of the Ames sword manufacturing company - the foremost producer of these swords. The hilt is of brass and the grip is covered with black leather and inlaid with twisted copper wire. The scabbard is of steel with two steel hanging rings.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Universal Swords
- Culture
- American
- Era
- 19th Century
- Pommel
- Peened
- Overall Length
- 39 3/4''
- Blade Length
- 33 1/2''
- Blade
- 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lb 2.6 oz
- Edge
- Unsharpened
- P.O.B.
- 6 7/8''
- Thickness
- 7.5 mm - 4.7 mm
- Width
- 27.7 mm
- Grip Length
- 4 1/4''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- India
- Type
- Saber
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q Is the blade sharpened? Common Question
No. The saber comes with an unsharpened edge from the factory.
Q What steel is the blade made from? Common Question
1060-1065 High Carbon Steel.
Q How does it handle and balance? Common Question
It has a forward balance typical of heavy cavalry sabers with a P.O.B. around 6 7/8 inches from the guard, giving it strong cutting authority.
Q What are the hilt and grip materials? Common Question
Brass three-bar guard with a black leather-wrapped grip inlaid with twisted copper wire; the pommel is peened.
Q What are the overall and blade lengths? Common Question
Overall length is approximately 39 3/4 inches with a 33 1/2 inch blade.
Q What is included with the sword? Common Question
A steel scabbard with two suspension rings.
Q Where is it manufactured? Common Question
India, by Universal Swords.
Q Is it suitable for reenactment or cutting practice? Common Question
It is a battle-ready reproduction with tempered high carbon steel; it ships unsharpened and is appropriate for display and costume/reenactment where unsharpened blades are required. Always follow local rules and safety practices.
Q How should I maintain it? Common Question
Keep the blade lightly oiled to prevent rust, wipe after handling, and periodically check the leather grip and wire wrap; avoid storing long-term in the steel scabbard.
Q What historical pattern does it represent? Common Question
A reproduction of the US Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber, popularly nicknamed the Old Wristbreaker, with stylistic roots in the French 1822 hussar saber.
The Maker
Universal Swords
With origins going back to 1960, India’s Universal Swords has been making reproduction swords for decades. With an emphasis on military sabers, universal produces a number of designs not found elsewhere. As the official US distributor of Universal Swords, KOA will be expanding to stock their entire line over time.
Often paired together
Take the cat by the tail and face the situation. This is the older of two models representations by USI. It is listed as an M1840 “ole wristbreaker”. If you look at the pictures of the ricasso you will see that the blade is marked ” US ADK 1862″. The M1840 ceased production in 1858. It was a 36×1.25 in bladed, 2.5 lb saber. THIS, my friends is actually an M1860 light cav saber, manufactured since 1858. All the India producers make the same mistake.
This is the first time I’ve bought a sword from and I have to say im very satisfied with it I paid a little more cause I got unlucky and it was marked down a day or two after I ordered but im honestly not to upset and would be willing to do it again.