Ames Light Cavalry Sabre Dated 1859  

Description

Ames Light Cavalry Sabre Dated 1859  

An Excellent Pre-Civil War Specimen  

 

A much sought after combination of date and maker, this 1859 dated Ames Light Cavalry Sabre, holds an important place in the lineage of US Cavalry Sabres, establishing the manufacture of these sabres prior to the onset of the Civil War. Seldom offered due to the relatively few surviving specimens being carefully retained in private collections, these early dated Ames sabres are difficult to obtain.  

 

This sabre bears a full set of maker and inspector stamps. The ricasso is stamped with a legible Ames maker stamp on one side and equally legible  

 

“US”, the inspector’s initials “JH” for Joseph Hannis and the “1859” date stamp on the other. The brass guard is stamped “JH”, again, Hannis, and  “WAT” for William A. Thornton on the pommel.  

 

The brass guard has a soft, old patina, showing no signs of polishing or heavy cleaning. The guard has slightly misshapen due to wear or use, and the leather washer is present on the face of the guard. The grip leather is original and overall smooth without flaking. The leather wrap is fully intact with only typical wear to the high points and it is overall smooth with no flaking or crazing. The original wire wrapping is present, tight, and complete.  

 

The blade is full form, the metal surface is overall bright, and the ricasso cross polishing is still present. There is no severe pitting on the blade, only the scattered darkened speckling and light frosting of the metal that one expects to see on these early, well used blades as the steel ages. The edge is clean with a few very minor nicks, as opposed to the heavier nicks and chips in the edges that are commonly seen on these carly sabres that were exposed to the full duration of the War.  

 

The scabbard has an even naturally aged brown finish. The scabbard retains its full form without any severe dents, and with only a couple of slight dimples – remarkable given this sabre was made before, and likely issued during, the conflict. The scabbard is complete with the throat and carrying rings, and a full form drag. The metal is overall smooth with no severe pitting.  

 

This is an excellent example of the very scarce pre-war dated Ames Light  Cavalry sabres.  

 

Inventory Number: SWO 402