The distinctive P-guard cavalry saber, likely dating to the War of 1812 period, is held by a Union soldier, right. Whether cavalry or artillery, his shell jacket and 1851-pattern eagle belt plate suggest early war service, when older sabers were commonly issued. Note the awkward grip—his little finger falls outside the guard, obscuring the pommel and complicating identification. Still, this portrait offers a fascinating glimpse into the reuse of aging arms in wartime.
A quintessential federal soldier, his name and history lost in time, is the first image in the collection of Joey Sorace—a gift from a friend at the 2025 Ohio Civil War Show in Mansfield.
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