For your consideration is this United States Model 1812 Contract Cavalry Saber made by Nathan Starr for the War of 1812. The leading sword maker in America from 1798 to 1830 was Connecticut’s Nathan Starr of Middletown, and his firm produced the military edged weapon presented here. This cavalry saber is a enlisted man’s edged weapon and one of over 5,000 such pieces made under the Starr contract of 1812-1813. The Saber follows a modified design criterion specified on January 11, 1813, that incorporated a sharper curve to the blade, a pronounced angle to the hilt and a wider opening between grips and knuckle-bow. Knuckle-bow exhibits the reverse-P pattern and is pierced near the pommel for a sword knot. The blade is marked, "US / P / LS / N. Starr". The "US' is for the United States, the "P" is for proved, "LS" shows it had a federal inspection by Luther Sage and "N. Starr" shows that it was made by Nathan Starr in Middletown, Connecticut between the years of 1812-1813. The saber has an iron hilt, with ribbed wood grips shaped to fit the hand, and features an iron “P”-guard and dove’s head pommel. The curved, single edged blade features an almost full length fuller and shows good condition with a sharp point and blade edge. The blade shows no corroding but features a light patina in some areas. The steel scabbard features two metal loops for securing a strap and shows wear from its age with scuffing and some light rust spots, but overall it is in good condition. The blade in the scabbard measures 38" L. The blade measures 32" L.*