Cavalry Officer's Saber
ca. 1810
Medium
Steel, silver, wood, gold
Dimensions
H. 39 7/8 in. (101.3 cm); H. of blade 34 1/4 in. (87 cm); W. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 9.6 oz. (725.7 g)
Classification
Swords
Culture
American, Baltimore
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Bequest, 2015
Accession Number
2015.127
Art Historical Context
This elegant Cavalry Officer's Saber, crafted by Baltimore silversmith John Lynch 1810, exemplifies finest American arms-making of the early Republic. Measuring nearly 40 inches overall with a 34-inch steel blade, it was designed for mounted cavalry use, balancing lethal functionality with officer-class refinement. Lynch, a prominent figure in Baltimore's thriving silver trade, adorned the hilt with silver mounts, gold accents, and a wooden grip, showcasing the city's reputation as a center for high-quality metalwork during a time of national pride and military expansion. The saber's opulent ...