US ca.1808 CONTRACT NATHAN STARR CAVALRY SABER

The exact number of these pre-1812 contract cavalry sabers made by Nathan Starr is unknown to me, but it could not have been many, as they don't appear on the market often at all.
This recent estate find measures 38.5" overall, with a 33.5" long blade, which is blunted at the very point. Overall state of the sword is untouched, and attic. It does need some gentle cleaning, but overall has a nice uniform coffee-brown patina to the metal surfaces. Leather-covered grip survives in remarkably-good condition.
Blade is maker-marked N.STARR on the obverse. The reverse is marked V, for "viewed" by the inspector.
Sword is very tight, with no play to the parts.

Sabers like this were attributed by Harold Peterson to pre-War of 1812 militia contracts.
This historic sword is an honest, old War of 1812 veteran.