Images(6)

Stirrup-Hilt Light Dragoon Sabre

Dateca.1778-1783

OriginAmerica

MediumSteel, iron, brass, wood and wool

DimensionsOverall: 40 1/8" Blade: 32 3/4" x 1 1/2" Hilt: 7 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1935-236

DescriptionBrass hilt with a 4-slot stirrup guard and a knucklebow terminating in a ring secured to the foot of a turned ovoid pommel. Spiraling wood grip set with a brass wire at the apex and reinforced by a brass ferrule at its base. Crude, slightly curved single-edged blade made with fuller running along the spine and a false edge. Two layers of red wool act as a spacer bewteen the blade and hilt.
Label TextAs the Revolutionary War entered its middle years, the need for mounted fighting men saw an explosion in the numbers of Light Dragoon units formed on both sides. While the Loyalist and British were largely supplied with cavalry sabres by James Potter of New York City, patriotic American forces were supplied by a myriad of sources. Some were captured, some were imported from Europe and others were made locally using whatever blades were available.

Mounted on a serviceable but crude blade, the hilt is clearly modeled on the design of the "Potter" dragoon sabre, but is much snazzier. Substituting polished brass for the sturdier iron of the prototype, this example retains the diagnostic stirrup guard secured by a ring to the foot of the tall, well-moulded pommel. It is a beautiful and elegant sword which typifies the sort of light dragoon swords preferred by made for American officers during the War.