C. Roby
Swordmaker 1861-1867
Christopher Roby ran a prolific, but short-lived swordmaking business from 1861 until 1867. In this time, his company produced 32,200 M1860 cavalry sabers (dated 1861,63,64, and 65), 3500 M1840 musician swords (dated 1863-65), 12,500 M1840 NCO swords (dated 1862-65), and an unknown number of M1840 light artillery sabers. Except for the first sabers sold in 1861, Roby’s marks generally followed two forms. The NCO, musician, and rarely cavalry swords had a circular mark made up of the words C. Roby W. Chelmsford MS, while the cavalry and artillery sabers had a linear C. Roby over a half-circular W. Chelmsford and a linear Mass. The assumed 1861 stamp is merely a line saying C.Roby. Another identifying feature of Roby cavalry sabers is that they have two extra turns of wire wrap on the grip, making it extend completely through the pommel. This trait is otherwose only found on M1840 models, which makes it possible to identify a Roby saber if the marks have been worn off. Roby also made officer’s swords and fraternal swords, but that topic is another story entirely. The 1865 dated swords were not delivered until after the cessation of hostilities, and therefore never saw active duty during the war. The Roby Company went bankrupt and sold its name and equipment shortly after the war.