Brass Guard from Civil War Cavalry Saber, Stafford, VA (SOLD)

This is another great piece being offered, it is a heavy brass guard from a Civil War Cavalry saber. It measures approximately 6" x 4" and has an old tag attached which states "(Dug) sword part / Stafford, VA. BKOOG - 1986". This indicates that it was found in Stafford, Virginia in 1986.

During the Civil War, Stafford was a logistical and transportation center, and a staging ground. From the banks of the Rappahannock River in December 1862, Union forces staged an advance to start the Battle of Fredericksburg. Shortly after, Union General Ambrose Burnside bogged down his army on the famous "Mud March."

The civilians of Stafford were among the first in the new world to suffer the devastating effects of a modern war, having to host most of the Union's Army of the Potomac from 1862-1863. Over 200,000 soldiers camped, ate, and lived off the land, straining the county's resources to the point of collapse. Stafford's population did not recover until the 1940s, well into the twentieth century.

The guard has a beautiful untouched patina, never cleaned. This was a severe break to this heavy brass, perhaps from being in battle and retained as a souvenir by a soldier. This is really a neat piece and would be a nice addition to any Civil War collection.