Civil War sabre restoration...

S

Sainte

Joined
Jun 12, 2015
Messages
6
Can anyone recommend a professional restorer/smith?

I have a Thomas and Melvane ( a "T" on the rosette ) with an 1863 date. This was passed down to me by my grandmother who always told me that her uncle carried it in the war. We are from Louisiana so I am assuming he was a Confederate soldier but, unfortunately, there are no CSA markings.

The handle wrapping is in great shape for the age as well as the scabbard. It has been kept oiled with machine oil and kept in a gun case for as long as I can remember.

Thnx,

Sainte

Sainte70@gmail.com
 
Welcome aboard

Tom Nardi comes to mind

swordrestorationtn.com

Depending on the sword and its condition, sometimes the best medicine is to leave it alone. Tomes & Melvain was changed to Tomes & Son & Melvain just prior to the ACW, then Tomes, Melvain & Co. The business was located on Maiden Lane in New York City, along with others such as Schuyler Hartley & Graham, Tiffany, a Horstmann branch, etc. Quite the cosmopolitan cutlery, hardware and jewelry center. The area for these types of businesses goes back before 1800. The company imported swords and was basically a hardware dealer selling firearms as well as swords.

I have a hunch the sword you have was an officer's sword and not an enlisted man's item. Pictures would confirm that. I use tinypic.com a lot to share images. Without more info, I would say err on the side of do nothing.

As far as a family connection, generations get mixed up at times and consider that at 60, it was my great great grandfather's generation that fought during the American Civil War. A bring back or captured item? Possible but the provenance needs paperwork.

Do put up pictures if possible. Nardi is certainly capable if he is taking work. There are a few others. You may be looking at conservation, rather than restoration and there are good conservation tips.

Cheers

GC
 
Some links re thoughts about caring and repairing old swords

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?78325-Sword-Care-amp-Conservation

http://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/armament.html

http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/conservation/docs_pdfs/Sword project (2).pdf

http://www.oldswords.com/images/article1.pdf

http://www.antiqueswordsonline.com/care-and-preservation-of-antique-swords/

There are many more articles, tips and advice on the net. I have my own little shop of horrors and most I handle have issues. Some need little to keep them stable for more centuries to come, others have benefited through serious rust control and general cleaning. I try to approach any individually but there are some issues common with many. There are often instances where even light cleaning can be detrimental to old finishes. Silver and gold washes/plating especially. I have gone so far as to remove errant grinding of blades and certainly prudent rust control/removal.

Primo swords need the best care. I am kind of a bottom dweller and have had furn cleaning up some real rust buckets and problem swords. It can be a matter of taste to leave a sword encrusted with soot or otherwise neglected; or, give it a much more appealing value. I prefer clean and dry over waxes and oils but they need a watchful eye.

I look forward to seeing your sword.

GC
 
Well it does look like a basic trooper light cavalry "1860". Nardi could certainly redo the grp leather and do so as to match the overall condition. I would not buff it bright, rather just clean the grime. Here is a sword I cleaned up and rejuvenated the grip leather. The blade was quite good and the scabbard not crusty. You have a nice sword there.

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Cheers

GC
 
Very nice piece of iron there yourself! thanks for all the help!

Nardi says it looks like a Tomes Model 1860 Calvary.

I called a local CW museum but they dont take anything on loan due to insurance issues and I am certainly not going to donate it out from the family.

I noticed in a couple of the links you sent me that one guy is saying to use WD-40, NEVER use WD-40!!! It will lift any type of coating e.g. chrome/bluing/gilding off the base metal. In another article it said to use a break-free but did warn the sword owner about the above.
 
Yup, everyone has their favorites. The harshest liquid I use is Liquid Wrench but certainly only on steel. Light oil and bronze scrubbies (Chore Boy), green and blue pot scrubbies for blades. I like Bon Ami when working brass crevices with water and toothbrushes. Extra fine steel wool with light oil on blades. Even aluminum foil and light oil. Fine auto emery paper, even stones at times.

I had run into the same issue with museums and insurance. The Higgins Armory at one point asked for contact info re a possible future spotlight exhibit but I never heard back on it. They didn't want anything to do with a 17th century book that wasn't arms related.

Cheers

GC
 
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