American Light Horse
Weapons, Hunting, and Fishing
Wilhelm Tesche (Maker)
Solingen, Germany, Europe
North America
1792-1812
Steel; Tin-plated; Brass wire; Shagreen; Wood; Iron wire
Engraved
2019.0014.006 A
Object Number2019.0014.006 A |
Sword (Cavalry saber)
American Light Horse
Weapons, Hunting, and Fishing
Gift of Elizabeth C. Weld and Elizabeth B. Weld, in memory of Louis Mackall Weld, Jr.
Wilhelm Tesche (Maker)
Solingen, Germany, Europe
During the maker's lifetime, the region was under Prussian control.
North America
Hilt is possibly made in the United States, possibly Philadelphia but further research is needed.
1792-1812
1. Signature; Blade, spine; "W/m. TESCHE.PETERS.SOHN.IN.SOLINGEN.FECIT", engraved
2. Inscription; Blade, side; "AMERICAN [Federal seal image] LiGHT.HORSE", engraved
3. Inscription; Blade, side; "AMERICAN [Federal seal image] LiGHT.HORSE", engraved
Military; War of 1812
Steel; Tin-plated; Brass wire; Shagreen; Wood; Iron wire
Engraved
40 (L) , 6 (W) , 1.4 (D)
101.6 (L) , 15.24 (W) , 3.5 (D)
Blade length from ricasso: 34.5 inches (tip is truncated). Blade width 1.4 inches
The stylized lion head and slotted cross guard of this cavalry saber were plated to resemble brass and to prevent rust because they were cast iron, likely from a pattern originating in Europe (research on-going). Remarkably the shagreen grip (or faux sharkskin) survives, wrapped securely with copper and brass wire around the wood core. The blade has a wide fuller and long sharpened edge that tapers to a blunted tip. The spine is engraved with the blade maker's name: "W/M. TESCHE.PETERS.SOHN.IN.SOLINGEN.FECIT" [Wilhelm Tesche, son of Peter Tesche in Solingen (modern Germany) made this.] Each side of the blade is engraved with large capital letters and the pictorial image of the American Federal seal eagle with 13 stars. The inscription is most legible on the proper left side: "AMERICAN [Federal seal image] LIGHT.HORSE."
Tesche’s saber blades are well-documented imports in the young United States, and this one has a family history that suggests it was owned either by Brigadier General Leonard Covington (d. 1813) a cavalry officer whose career began with Light Dragoons or possibly by a member of the Bealle family like Colonel William Dent Bealle (d. 1829). Both men were friends living originally in Maryland.