2019.0014.006 A Sword, view 1
  • 2019.0014.006 A Sword, view 1
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Sword (Cavalry saber)

  • Title:

    American Light Horse

  • Category:

    Weapons, Hunting, and Fishing

  • Creator (Role):

    Wilhelm Tesche (Maker)

  • Place of Origin:

    Solingen, Germany, Europe

  • Secondary Place of Origin:

    North America

  • Date:

    1792-1812

  • Materials:

    Steel; Tin-plated; Brass wire; Shagreen; Wood; Iron wire

  • Techniques:

    Engraved

  • Museum Object Number:

    2019.0014.006 A


  • Complete Details



Object Number

2019.0014.006 A

Object Name

Sword (Cavalry saber)

Title

American Light Horse

Category

Weapons, Hunting, and Fishing

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Elizabeth C. Weld and Elizabeth B. Weld, in memory of Louis Mackall Weld, Jr.

Creator (Role)

Wilhelm Tesche (Maker)

Place of Origin

Solingen, Germany, Europe

Origin Notes

During the maker's lifetime, the region was under Prussian control.

Secondary Place of Origin

North America

Secondary Origin Notes

Hilt is possibly made in the United States, possibly Philadelphia but further research is needed.

Date

1792-1812

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

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

Subjects

Military; War of 1812

Materials

Steel; Tin-plated; Brass wire; Shagreen; Wood; Iron wire

Techniques

Engraved

Dimensions (inches)

40 (L) , 6 (W) , 1.4 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

101.6 (L) , 15.24 (W) , 3.5 (D)

Measurement Notes

Blade length from ricasso: 34.5 inches (tip is truncated). Blade width 1.4 inches

Object Description

Web - 12/05/2023

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.