The original fuller remains intact from the ricasso to the end of the blade. The iron birds head hilt has the usual half-basket sheet iron guard, which is perforated with 7 slots in its face, arranged in two rows, four on the outer edge and three on the interior. The sword knot slot remains in place at the rear of the knuckle guard as well. The guard extends 2 inches above the spine of the saber, with a gently forward swept quillon that terminates in a slightly birds head shaped flat quillon.
The original leather grip is gone and the 7-groove wood grip has a nice patina with original wire. The blade is marked 5 on one side and 2 on the other, and has a few nicks on the blade battle related.
The item "CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE RARE 3RD MODEL VIRGINIA MANUFACTORY CAVALRY SABER SWORD" is in sale since Wednesday, November 18, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Edged Weapons". The seller is "rachelemandelgallery" and is located in Chicago Heights, Illinois. This item can be shipped worldwide.