LTBrink Posted July 21, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 21, 2018 I have a U.S. Army Officers saber model 1902 that i stamped Henry V Allien. Now I know that it was his company in collaboration with General J.C. Kelton that originally designed this pattern which was adopted in July of 1902. According to Bezdek, the company operated until 1948. I was wondering if anyone could narrow down the likely date of manufacture for this. The tang is peened and the grip appears to be made of horn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted July 22, 2018 Share #2 Posted July 22, 2018 No clue on the age but a nice sword nonetheless. Good luck on dating it, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted July 23, 2018 Share #3 Posted July 23, 2018 As a general rule of thumb these M1902 Army Officer swords with peened pommels are earlier than the ones with threaded nuts on the pommel. Also, soft metal alloy guards are generally earlier than the later plated magnetic steel guards. Same with scabbards with the earlier swords having soft scabbards with later ones being of plated steel. Having said that your sword looks like a pre-WWII sword with a bit heavier blade from what I can see. I hope this is helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reschenk Posted July 25, 2018 Share #4 Posted July 25, 2018 Agree with Sarge. Another early feature is the reinforcement ridge on the top of the knuckle guard near the pommel. I believe this sword is probably pre-WWI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTBrink Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted July 27, 2018 The reinforcement ridge is present on this along with the peened tang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTBrink Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted July 27, 2018 I found a similar piece on an online auction which looks just like the one I have. This one is dated 1904. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/9904838_693-sword-by-henry-v-allien-and-co-lt-b-houston-off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reschenk Posted July 28, 2018 Share #7 Posted July 28, 2018 I found a similar piece on an online auction which looks just like the one I have. This one is dated 1904. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/9904838_693-sword-by-henry-v-allien-and-co-lt-b-houston-off Certainly looks exactly the same and is a good indicator of the date of your sword. I doubt it sold - the initial price of $500 plus 18% buyers premium is ludocrously out of line, even if the hilt had been perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTBrink Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share #8 Posted July 28, 2018 I understand that the regulation was changed in 1903 to have the guards and scabbards made out of steel. I just tested the scabbard with a magnet and the only thing that the magnet picks up on is the mouthpiece screws. The guard is also non-magnetic. Does this mean I can be fairly confident that this is an example of the earliest M1902's? 1902-1904? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horseclover Posted July 28, 2018 Share #9 Posted July 28, 2018 I'm pretty sure that alloy fittings are not always a way to date early swords, as my throw away Colonial branded sword looks to me in the era of real plastic, not bakelite. The grips is quite light plastic and the fittings alloy. Cheers GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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