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Title:	SABER -  U.S. SABER MODEL 1840 CAVALRY
Maker/Manufacturer:	SCHNITZLER & KIRSCHBAUM
Date of Manufacture:	C 1861
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 6700
Measurements:	OL:102.8CM 40 1/2" BL: 87.6CM 34 1/2"

Object Description:

U.S. SABER MODEL 1840 CAVALRY
Manufactured by Schnitzler & Kirschbaum, Solingen, Germany - Regulation Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry or Dragoon saber. The so-called "wrist-breaker." Curved blade. Brass hilt. Wood covered grips with leather and wound with wire. Complete with 37 1/2" metal scabbard. Wire loose on grips. Most of leather gone.

Markings:
Ricasso: SOLINGEN. Reverse: S & K.
Scabbard: S&K/CB.

1909 Catalog #13-091 - "Saber. Blade stamped S&K - Solingen. Steel scabbard, brass guard."

Notes: "THE FIRM - The firm of Schnitzler and Kirschbaum was located in Solingen, Germany, receiving a sword trademark as early as 1822 but is believed to have been in business before that time. John Walter states that the firm was an important manufacturer in its heyday with saber contracts for the United States and the European countries of Austria and Switzerland, as well as the German states of Prussia and Bavaria. The firm also located an agent in London with the company listed as leasing offices at 27 Walbrook Street in at least 1857 and 1858. It was somewhat unusual for German firms to list themselves with a rented space in London, as most German firms were listed at a British agent's address. Presumably, they had this unusual company presence because they were after large contracts for the British army.
During the period of the 1840s through the 1860s, the German firm was one of the most respected importers of sabers to the United States. They had contracts for both cavalry and artillery sabers. S&K received the first U.S. Ordnance Department contract for the model 1840 cavalry and artillery sabers in 1840 and again for additional sabers in 1847. They also manufactured a large number of bayonets and were a manufacturer of sabers imported by others to the United States during the Civil War.
John Walter reports that no S&K-marked weapons are known from the period after 1864-65. He speculates that the partnership spilt up at this time and that possibly an offshoot of the firm was A.A. Schnitzler. This is a likely possibility, as no sabers with an A.A. Schnitzler ricasso mark are known on Civil War identified weapons. This would also confirm that any saber with the S&K ricasso or blade back stamp is a Civil War or earlier dated weapon. Examples are known with S&K on the obverse and Solingen on the ricasso reverse. These are believed to be U.S. Civil War imports." - Thillmann

"Ames is believed to have had production problems which caused the delay, especially during the initial stages of the Mexican War (1846-48). The sabers were noted in official records as purchased for 'for arming and equipping the militia,' and they were delivered by S&K on February 9, 1848. The saber contract was the last given to S&K by the Ordnance Department. During the Civil War (1861-1865), S&K made bayonets, swords, and other ordnance for the US and the Confederate States of America though purchased by independent agents." - Hickox

References:
Hickox, Ron. COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO AMES U.S. CONTRACT MILITARY EDGED WEAPONS: 1832-1906. Pioneer Press. Union City, Tn. 1992.
Thillmann, John H. CIVIL WAR CAVALRY & ARTILLERY SABERS. Andrew Mowbray Publishers. Lincoln, R.I. 2001.

See, The Fabrication of Small Arms, pg. 215.