Saber: 1860 Light Cavelry Saber, Millard Contract

V

VorpelSword

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
1,533
Several years ago I was given an 1860 Light Cavelry Saber marked Millard. I had it authenticated by Collector's Firearms for insurance purposes back then.
At that time, they ascribed no additional value or desirability to the fact that the Millard contract was for only 10,000 sabers and only in 1862. Seeing as there were some 300.000 Union contract sabers of this model made during the Civil War, the Millard contract amounted to 3% of the total . . .a pretty small run.

And now, years later on, I was noodling around on e-Bay and found several identical sabers offered at a lot more than the appraisal from years past. Time changes all things of course. What caught my eye was that each offering made some mention of the rarity of the Millard Sabers as justification for the asking price.

Time for another appraisaql I think.
 
A rough guide for these
G​
Presentable sword with pitting and worn markings leather grips mostly missing or gone.
VG​
This is a no problem sword with little or no pitting that is Grey with strong markings. leather grip has at least 80%.
F​
A sword that still retains some original polish and luster. Has no pitting to speak of and retains 90% grip cover.
EX​
This sword is near new or at least has no discernible flaws. High polish and luster, lots of gilded finish and 95% or more grip covering.
1860 Cav
add 25% for Millard,
Prov tool or pre 62 date
500​
700​
850​
1200​

That is a little dated and greed has especially driven up prices on ebay but the Millard and Providence Tool swords are scarce. There were a couple of Providence Tool swords in great shape selling at the one grand level last year but kind of a Covid fluke discount.

A guitar I paid $400 for in 1976 netted me a good profit in a quick sale and that buyer probably sold it at almost twice that. It would not surprise me to see a Millard priced at twice what a dealer would pay for it.

Supply and demand. Even now, there are occasional real bargains. In the end, an object is worth what someone will pay. Always note sold prices vs what a listing is asking.

Cheers
GC
 
Yes, I get all that, and agree.

I was just a little surprised to see that now the low number of the Millard contract seems to bring a premium.

My example still has leather straps on the suspension rings.

Should there be a leather grommet at the scabbard throat?
 
For the most part, Tiffany marked swords were imported or jobbed out to various cutlers along Maiden Lane NYC. I can't recall any swords actually made or assembled by Tiffany. Even personal inscriptions, engravings and etchings were add ons and frequently jobbed out.

Cheers
GC
 
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