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Very Rare Starr Contract of 1798 Cavalry Saber

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Very Rare Starr Contract of 1798 Cavalry Saber
Contract of 1798 Cavalry Saber manufactured by Nathan Starr & Co., of Middletown, Connecticut in 1798-1799. The 2000 cavalry sabers manufactured by Nathan Starr & Co. for the United States were the first edged weapons made under a U.S. government contract following the Revolutionary War. Surviving examples are extremely rare. The saber has a 34 1/2-inch curved single edge blade with 7-inch false edge and narrow fuller. The blade is 1 5/8-inch wide at the hilt. The blade is stamped "N. Starr & Co." on the obverse below the hilt. The markings run parallel to the back of the blade. The reverse is prominently stamped with "US" above the date "1799" in two lines perpendicular to the edge of the blade. The saber has an iron guard with stirrup shaped knuckle bow, down-turned quillion, and convex back strap which forms a flat pommel. The wooden grip has a leather cover and is wrapped with twisted brass wire. The saber does not have a scabbard.
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Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Good. The blade and iron guard have a dark patina. The blade has moderate pitting with patches on the original bright finish. The tip of the blade is slightly bent and there are several old nicks in the edge. The "U.S." property marks and date are clear; the "N. Starr & Co." markings are faint but legible. The iron guard is pitted and has a dark age patina. The grip retains fragments of the original leather cover and one wrap of twisted brass wire. There are age cracks in both sides of the grip. A piece of cloth wrapping the originally covered the grip is included with the sword. The 2000 Starr 1798 Contract Cavalry sabers were the first edged weapons manufactured under contract for the United States and are a key piece in any advanced U.S. edged weapons or martial arms collection.