Civil War Cavalry Saber

Along with the rifle, the cavalry saber was one of the most common weapons used in the Civil War, particularly by the infantry. Most sabers were in the Dragoon style, meaning they were heavy sabers that were intended to be used from horseback.² This particular cavalry saber has an inscription at the base of the blade reading “C. Roby, W. Chelmsford,” followed by “Mass.” The inscription identifies the saber as being made by Christopher Roby and Co. in Massachusetts. Roby ran an extensive sword-making business during the Civil War in which he sold swords to the United States government. By the end of the war, C. Roby & Co. had produced 32,200 cavalry sabers. The sabers can be specifically recognized by the inscription on the blades, as well as the fact that the leather hilts have two extra wire wrapped turns. At the end of the war, the sabers were no longer needed by the U.S. government, and Roby’s company subsequently went out of business.¹ Christopher Roby also made fraternal swords, and while this saber has no Masonic inscription on the blade, the saber does contain a tag saying “Macks Creek Lodge 433.” Macks Creek Lodge is located in the county of Camden in Missouri. The saber, therefore, represents the period of Missouri Freemasonry that was drastically affected by the Civil War.