52 



with a slot which fits around tlie lower part ol" the tant; and against a 

 shoulder on the blade. The grip is of black walnut, grooved to receive 

 the tang and shaped to fit the fingers of the hand, and is fastened to 

 the tang by three brass rivets. The pommel is of brass and secured 

 to the tang by a steel screw 0.1 17 inch diameter. A bushing of brass 

 tubing is forced through the tang at the upper end and has its ends 

 flush with the grip. 



officers' saber and scabbard. 



(Plate XX.) 



The parts are — 



Blade. 



Tang. 



Pommel. 



Guard. 



Grip. 



Ferrule. 



Nut. 



Washer, 

 and of the scabbard — 



Body, with tip, bands, and rings. 



Mouthpiece, with screws. 



Linings. 

 The blades are made from tool steel in lengths of 30, 32, and 34 

 inches. The tang or support for the hilt is made of soft iron welded 

 to the base of the blade. 



The pommel, guard, and ferrule are of German silver. The pom- 

 mel covers the end of the hilt and extends along the back of the 

 grip, the lower end being held by a ferrule, while the upper end is 

 secured by heading down the tang, which passes through all parts 

 of the hilt when the latter is assembled with the blade. 



The guard is of the basket form with four branches, plate, and 

 hook. The ends are slotted for the tang, the lower end abuts against 

 the shoulder of the blade, and the upper end fits into a notch in 

 the front of the pommel. It has a slot hear the upper end for 

 attaching the sword knot. 



The ferrule passes around the pommel and grij) just above the 

 lower end of the guard, holding them securely together. The grip 

 is of black bone shaped to fit the fingers of the hand. 



The scabbard is made from sheet steel formed to shape and brazed, 

 after which the tip and bands for rings, also of steel, are brazed to 

 the scabbard. The bands are drilled to receive the 1-inch rings 

 made from 0.166-inch steel wire. 



The steel mouthpiece is secured to tlio Ixxly by two screws and 

 has a spring which extends insi(l(> the scabbard and grips the sides 



