For Sale

Untouched Kenansville Cavalry Saber

This saber originated in South Boston, Halifax County, Virginia.  Its verbal attribution was that it was used in the Civil War by Sgt. Thomas H. Wooding, of (2nd) Co. E, 6th Virginia Cavalry.

The saber and scabbard feature a wonderfully attractive dark-age patina.  The assembly number XXXII appears on the counterguard of the saber in the usual place for these examples.  No Roman numeral appears on the throat of the scabbard, as is sometimes the case.  The saber and its heavy scabbard have obviously been together since their manufacture.

The flaws are thus:

• The original leather covering the grip is thin and worn through in places.  This is somewhat obscured by the wood’s dark patina.  The original iron wire is tight and unaltered.
• Approximately ¼ inch is broken off the point of the saber, small enough that it can be fixed without diminishing its authenticity appreciably.   I have chosen myself to leave it alone.

According to the regimental history for the Sixth Virginia Cavalry in the H.E. Howard Series by Michael Musick, the record for Thomas H. Wooding is as follows:

Wooding enlisted 5-27-61 in 2nd Co. E.  His age was 23 on the 2-16-62 roll.  The record shows that he was soon promoted to the rank of corporal.  He was absent wounded in the foot on May-June, 1862 roll.  He was in a Richmond hospital with chronic diarrhea 10/21 to 10/28/1863, then he was transferred to Danville.  He was promoted to rank of sgt. on the Sept.-Oct., 1864 roll.  He was otherwise present through final March 4, 1865 roll.

There is some allusion in Musick’s roll that this may be the same soldier as the later mayor of Danville, Virginia, Harry Wooding.  This I have not investigated further.

Price $9,200.00.