Model 1840 Cavalry Officer’s Saber presented to Captain James Callehan U.S. 4^th Cavalry.

Engraved scabbard reads:

Presented to

Capt. James Callehan

4 Cav 2 April 1865

for gallantry in the pursuit of the Rebel Hood

             Nashville and Selma Ala.

by his officers

Note: The "the Rebel Hood" refers to Confederate General John Bell Hood

Outstanding quality quillback sword/saber with gold-washed etchings on blade. The blade is in excellent condition and still retains its original bright finish with some minor light staining in spots.

The grip is covered with sharkskin and twisted brass wire and is in almost pristine condition. 

The scabbard is brass with iron drag.

Although the brass scabbard is somewhat uncommon for a M1840 cavalry saber, the sword fits the scabbard perfectly and was obviously made for it..

The scabbard shows signs of field use with minor indentations, but is very attractive with the sword.

The blade is unmarked with no maker displayed - which is not uncommon for civil war swords.

The hilt is tight on the blade

Dimensions of the sword are:

Overall length: 40”

Scabbard length: 34.5”

Blade length: 33”

Blade width at Ricasso: 1.25”

Copies of some of Callehan’s military service will be included.

This sword has been in my collection for over 50 years.

Callehan served with the U.S. 4th Cavalry in both the Civil War and subsequently in the Indian Wars in Texas from late 1865 to1870. 

In March 1865, General Wilson was ordered to take his cavalry on a drive through Alabama to capture the Confederate supply depot at Selma. General Wilson had devoted much effort in preparing his cavalry for the mission. It was a superbly trained and disciplined force that left Tennessee led by the 4th Cavalry. It was more than a traditional cavalry raid rather it was an invasion by a cavalry army, a preview of the blitzkrieg of World War II. As the column moved south into Alabama it encountered the famed Confederate cavalry leader Nathan Bedford Forrest. The Union force was too strong and defeated the Confederate cavalry allowing the Union forces to arrive at Selma the next day. On 2 April 1865, the attack on Selma commenced led by the 4th Cavalry in a mounted charge. A railroad cut and fence line halted the mounted attack. Dismounting the Regiment pressed the attack and stormed the town. Selma's rich store of munitions and supplies were destroyed along with the foundries and arsenals.

The end of the Civil War brought a new surge of westward migration. Indian nations were determined to hold on to the lands they had taken back during the Civil War. In Texas the situation was acute with the Cheyenne and Arapahoe roaming at will in the north and the Comanche, Kiowa and Mescalero Apache controlling western Texas and eastern New Mexico. The 4th Cavalry was ordered into Texas to confront these formidable foes. The Regiment was filled with skilled Civil War veterans from both armies and outfitted with the latest and best equipment. On War Department records of that day the 4th Cavalry was rated the best cavalry regiment in the U.S. Army.

I will ship this sword to any address in North America with track and trace for $29