What Is It #30?

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These are two American Civil War Cavalry Officer sabers. You can tell that they are sabers, not swords, because of the curved shape of the blade.

Infantry officers wore straight swords with blades on both edges. This saber shape was common in the military world in the mid 1800’s.

I know these were from the Civil War because one is engraved at the blade hilt with ” USM 1864″and the other with” PS Justice, Philadelphia,” a prominent retail outfitter for officers during the Civil War.

Actually, by the time of the Civil War ,1861-65, they had very little military use other than waving on the troops into battle or being displayed in parades. Both sides had cannon, gatling guns, hand grenades and rifles that were accurate to 2000 ft. Both sides stayed as far apart as possible.

As to value, if you have one in great shape with scabbard and proof of ownership by a known warrior, they can command a price of several thousand dollars. These are worth $400 to $500.

Incidentally, noncommissioned officers wore daggers. Privates had bayonets that attached to the end of their rifles.

WHAT IS IT?

(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.

In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.

While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.

The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)

 

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One Response to What Is It #30?

  1. M says:

    Another interesting bit of information.

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