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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 last character “T” of Thornton’s
stamp either did not strike evenly or it has partially
worn away with use, however the “WA” is still legible.
The brass guard has a soft, old patina, showing no signs
of polishing or heavy cleaning. The guard is full form
and is not 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 none of the 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
early 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, far above the norm one
encounters on the market today – if one is able to
locate a pre-1860 dated specimen. The condition of this
sabre coupled with the historical significance of the
date will provide the eventual owner with a great deal
of pride in the ownership of such a piece through the
years.
(0111)
$2450
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