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This enlisted cavalry saber was manufactured by P. S. Justice, Philadelphia, Pa. It was adopted in 1840 by the War Department. Some say that this is the sword that won the west! It was used in the Indian wars and through the Civil War on both sides. It was used for seventy-five years and gained the name of “Old Wristbreaker” from the troops. Why? Well, when the trooper whacked an Indian on the head, the sword went Whannnng!!! Why? It was because the Point of Percussion was too far forward. With swords, the distance from the elbow to the hand on the hilt should equal the distance from the hilt to the Point of Percussion. Also, the grips were cylindrical and would turn in the hand. Further, the blade was very heavy. Therefore, changes were made in the Model 60 saber discussed earlier. The blade width was reduced to one inch. The length of the blade became shorter and the back of the blade was rounded. A hump was added to the grips. The hilt of the saber in this collection has a brass knuckle-bow with two branches that form a half-basket guard. This guard joins the counter guard on the obverse side. The grips are wood, covered in leather that are wound with twisted gilt wire. The curved blade is plain with the manufacturer’s name on the reverse side of ricasso. The iron scabbard has two carrying rings and drag.
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