Can't Find Anything On This Sword...

What you have is a M1902 US Army officer's dress sabre. The same pattern is still used in today's Army as a dress sabre.

I'm an avid antique collector of this pattern sword. Presently have 3 in my collection,but will be adding more for sure. All the one's I have pre-date 1918. I'll get a date for you on your M1902 and info on the retailer E.A. Armstrong soon. Looks to be in decent condition...congrats.

cheers,

Bill

edit: E. (Edwin) A. Armstrong MFG Co. was in business from 1894-1915. They were retailer of M1902's for all officers, the blade's were probably German made. Many business's were retailer / vendors of these but only a few were actual makers. Springfield Armory was one of the few actual makers and considered one of better quality. One's with German silver guards and scabbards were on early models and also one's that have wooden or horn grips were early make's as well. After that they used nickle plated steel or brass for guards & scabbards and Bakelite (Early form of plastic) and painted steel for grips.

here's a pic of the 3 I presently have: left to right - Springfield Armoury c.1903, Francis Bannerman -NY c.1910,and A. Schuman c.1917.

FB...The cavalry pattern you are thinking of is actually the M1906 US cavalry. It bears a very close resemblenace to the ACW 1860's models your fond of.

cheers,

Bill

Yes, it is a real vintage M1902 sabre. Again since it is marked with E.A. Armstrong that dates it between 1902 & 1915.

Depending on the overall condition, the maker/retailer mark and the overall market price can vary. You've got a nice one from the looks...if I were you I'd hang on to it for a while.

There's a lot of variations of the M1902 (makers/retailers, grip-guard components,etchings, presentation grades, etc) if you look at my avatar, it's of the rarest M1902 variation - a Philippine Constabulary. This is the Holy Grail of M1902's in my book and hope to obtain one in the future.

PM me if you want to talk more about pricing / value.

cheers,

Bill

thanks...it's still growing ,just acquired another 1902 variant yesterday. The reason have differences is that they are from different makers /retailers. M1902's were widely produced over the years, especially during war time. This is another reason for my soft spot for them and so interested in collecting, the variations are limitless. Unlike the the cookie cutter reproduction market, antique sword's have a wealth of history, appeal and character, plus they are a great investment.

cheers,

Hi, Bill!

I'd add just one small detail to your comprehensive explanation. Correspondence between the Ordnance Department and civilian militaria dealers in 1903 showed that the Springfield Armory was the only manufacturer of the M1902 through that year, and that none of the major dealers could spool up to produce the sabers in any number for several months after a need was confirmed. Production numbers for the Armory, which only produced them as needed, shows that manufacture did not slack off until 1905/06, so I would posit that civilian firms did not produce M1902s in any significant number until after that date. There is also a dearth of presentation M1902s before those years.

The US didn't discontinue use of the M1860 pattern until adopting the "Patton" in 1913. As to what happened...many were sold as scrap or turned into knives during WWII, many were attritted during normal use, some were left to rust in attics and barns, some may still sit in State arsenals.

But I don't think they are particularly rare. On any day you can find hundreds for sale with a Google search, and as late as the 1920s Bannerman was offering them 100 for $100, with special pricing on lots over 1000.