Fine, functional, workaday saber. I own this, as well as the 1860 Light Cavalry Saber, also by Windlass, and I`ll compare and contrast both here. The grip of this 1840 model is somewhat “beefier” than the 1860, and the brass wires twisted round the grip are not proud of the grip; the groove they rest in is not so wide, and the land is well rounded and not sharply gabled, as is the case with the grip of the 1860. Measured along the `backstrap` from underside of guard plate to pommel side of the rounded lip above the pommel proper, the grip is 5 13/64″, ditto the 1860. Measured inside the knucklebow, the grip is 4 5/16″, again ditto the 1860. The wide and narrow fullers are 24 1/2″ and 15 5/16″ in length respectively, and 24″ and 17 3/4″ on 1860. At the forte, my example is 8.95 mm in thickness and 3.2 mm at 3″ from point; 4.35 mm and 3.45 mm the 1860. Width at forte: 31.5 mm 1840 and 29.5 mm the 1860. I lined the scabbard with two very thin strips of balsa wood traced to shape slightly wider around than the blade, to prevent rattle, as well as improve blade retention and reduce scratches and dings to the blade. Sharpened this myself, half the length from point. In the words of a more experienced and knowledgeable collector, “These are very real, functional cavalry weapons”.
