Original U.S. WWII 26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts Bataan Death March Survivor Captain James A. Seay’s M1902 Officer’s Sword with Scabbard & Knot - Killed in Sinking of Hell Ship Arisan Maru

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the U.S. M1902 Army Officer’s sword of Captain James A. Seay of the 26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts, who was captured at Bataan, survived the infamous death march, and was tragically killed during the sinking of the Japanese Hell Ship Arisan Maru, the single greatest maritime loss in American history. Of the 1,781 Prisoners of War aboard, all of them escaped the sinking ship but were not rescued by the Japanese. In the end, only nine of the prisoners survived the sinking.

The Model 1902 Army Officer’s Saber remains the current regulation sword for officers of the United States Army. Officially designated the “Saber for All Officers, Model 1902,” it was adopted on July 17, 1902, by authority of General Order No. 81. This pattern was authorized for all commissioned officers—both infantry and cavalry—with the exception of chaplains.

The sword features a lightly curved blade measuring 32 ¼” with an overall length of 37 ¼”. The blade has the usual etched motifs with a panel reading James A. Seay. The ricasso is marked on one side with the PROVED star and on the other with:

U.S. ARMY
REGULATION
STANDARD
AMERICAN MADE

The scabbard measures 33” and shows good wear with minor denting. The original leather sword knot is still tied around the guard but there is heavy wear and rubbing to the leather. The sword comes with a couple printed pages of research. 

An outstanding example with a tragic history behind it, ready for further research and display.