Imported S&K Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber with Old Copper Tag Identifying it to Lt. J.G. Fonda with Mexican War and Civil War Service

Mexican American War

35.5" curved single-edged blade with a 27.5" stopped median fuller and a 18.5" secondary fuller near the flat spine. Blade 1.25" wide at ricasso. 41.25" in overall length. 5.5" hilt with cast brass guard with two branches and a knuckle bow, Phrygian helmet pommel cap and grooved wood grip covered in leather with 18 wraps of twisted wire. Spine marked S&K and with two sets of crowned initials. The sword has an old copper tag attached to the upper suspension ring of the iron scabbard that reads: CARRIED BY/LIEUT. J.G. FONDA/MEXICAN SERVICE/1848. The tag is marked with an odd style of engraving that is not typical of 19th century markings and may have been added at a later time. The sword was acquired from Norm Flayderman and was offered in Catalog #109.

A binder of research about Fonda is included, detailing his Mexican War and Civil War service. Fonda served with Capt. Stapp's Company of Illinois Mounted Volunteers during the Mexican War and in the 2nd and 12th Illinois Cavalry during the Civil War, ending his service as the Colonel of the 118th Illinois Infantry and with the brevet rank of brigadier general.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Condition
Good. Blade with a moderately oxidized mottled gray patina and some areas of brownish discoloration. Blade with a few scattered nicks along the cutting edge. Grip wrap with moderate wear and some loss near the guard. Wire intact. Throat washer intact. Scabbard with a thick, untouched brown patina and some moderate amounts of scattered surface roughness.

Provenance
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg