The 1860 US Light Cavalry Saber from LK Chen was reproduced from LK Chen after careful analysis of an 1864 original to not only create a fine looking saber, but also a reproduction saber with a sharp cutting blade that has the proper weight, balance and handling characteristics of a 19th century military saber. LK Chen is already well renowned for crafting superb replicas of Chinese sword with great attention paid to performance cutting characteristics and he has utilized that expertise and knowledge base to create this 19th century cavalry saber. The well-tempered blade is crafted from high quality GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Spring Steel and careful attention was paid to distal taper and fuller thickness to ensure that the sword has a thick and durable base and a thinned main cutting portion to imbue it with excellent balance and cutting ability.
Please Note: The “blemished” swords which are offered as an option (when stock is available) often do not have wire around the grip as it has fallen off. This is the most common reason as to why they are sold as cosmetically blemished at a discount.
The three-bar guard is cast from durable brass and the wooden grip is ground in black leather and overlaid with braided brass wire. The blade was peened over the pommel to ensure an altogether robust construction. Included with the sword is a scabbard of stainless steel with a pair of hanging rings for wear.
The 1860 saber received its name to distinguish it from the larger and heavier Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber that it replaced. Like its predecessor M1840 it had a brass guard, leather-wrapped grip and steel scabbard but unlike the M1840 it was smaller and easier to handle. M1860s were carried not only by cavalry but also by many infantry and staff officers. High-ranking officers, often had their swords ornately engraved with gilding and foliage. Famous 1860 saber owner’s included Union general George Armstrong Custer and Confederate general J.E.B. Stuart.
Except for a few early German imports, the majority of 1860 sabers were produced in the US, primarily by Ames Manufacturing Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts, a major provider of side arms, swords, light artillery, and heavy ordnance for the Union in the American Civil War, and by firms such as Tiffany and Co in New York and Emerson and Silver in Trenton, New Jersey. LK Chen US 1860 Cavalry Saber is created after detailed study of an 1864 Emerson and Silver antique saber.
Please Note: The “blemished” swords which are offered as an option (when stock is available) often do not have wire around the grip as it has fallen off. This is the most common reason as to why they are sold as cosmetically blemished at a discount.
Dale P. (verified owner) –
Just received it and simply put I like it. I sadly don’t have anything to compare it to directly, but I can verify that it feels nice in the hand when swung. Stats are a little different from the ones given, but very close. Mine has a pob at 5.5″. Spine of the blade does have taper starting at 8.4 to 3.5 at the very tip for my example. Fit to scabbard is reasonably tight without being too tight with only a little rattle. Feels very secure but still easy to draw. Blade comes very sharp! The guard and handle are ok with the guard being obviously cast, which is fine. I don’t regret buying it at all!
K. Alex Haraldsted (verified owner) –
Perfect. This is much more than a U.S. Civil War sword. The story starts in France 1822. This is essentially the 1822 French light cavalry saber with some very minor differences. That design was copied and used in the US military in 1860 and 1906. A lot of people with real sword battle experience must have liked the design to keep coming back to it. In 1822 repeater guns were crude, unreliable and for the most part not used in wars. At that time especially in France there were people who had frequently fought and killed with swords. Battle tested swordsmen would have had an input into this design then . The one I received is 2.5 mm 6 inches from tip and 2.0 mm at 1 inch from tip. That is almost identical to the historic 1822 French light cavalry saber specs and exactly what my antique Russian Dragoon Saber measures. That sword held up to very severe abuse when I was a teenager. This sword is a magnificent cutter and a serviceable thruster. Long and very fast . Amazing balence. In my opinion the curved tip is better than spear tip when the distal taper can flex on a a less than perfect thrust. If it slides off a rib where do you think it will go then ? Right into the chest. Perfect fit and finish. You get 1822, 1860 , and 1906 swords for the price of one ! Best package job I have ever seen. Thanks KOA !!
Knud A Haraldsted (verified owner) –
Please add at the end of my previous review : Thank you KOA and LK Chen ( I forgot to add him )
SmallieAngler (verified owner) –
I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to compare two very similar sabers from different makers side by side. I recently ordered a more budget-friendly saber produced by an Indian manufacturer through KOA. When it arrived, it was visually stunning and appeared to be well made. But when I held it and swung it as though to cut with it, it painfully pinched the knuckle on my index finger. Adjusting my grip and even wearing a glove didn’t help much. Having owned a very different LK Chen-made sword for a while, and read mostly good things about this saber, I decided to order one. When I first saw it, I was less than impressed by its finish, but handling it soon won me over. The distal taper and POB made it come alive in my hand. Though I paid for the sharpening service on the less expensive saber, and the KOA crew did a nice job on it, the factory edge on this one absolutely put it to shame. I guess that’s what happens when you pay for the craftsmanship of a skilled sword handler. As another reviewer hinted, the hilt casting of this saber wasn’t polished to a fare-thee-well, but no effort was spared on the blade and making this a great handling sword. Evidently, some trade-offs must be made to keep prices reasonable. As I value functionality more than appearance, I’ll gladly spend a few hours polishing the hilt casting with fine steel wool as I otherwise waste afternoons watching football games on the tube. I’m keeping this saber and hoping the other one finds a loving home.
Robert Hayward (verified owner) –
I saw a number of LK Chen sword reviews, most all were very positive. LK Chen is know for doing the research, and making excellant reprodutions. Being an American the 1860 Light Calvary Saber caught my eye. LK Chen does a great job with the blade, the handle and guard are fine. This is the first sword I have ever owned. I have a couple of Kukirs from Tora Blades. The blade is long, and handling it will take some practice. As far as balance and handling, well it is my first, and I have no experience with which to compare. But the sword itself is very solid, and for the price it is a great deal, Nothing seems cheap about this sword. For me it is as close to perfection as one could expect.