UNMARKED AMES 1840/1860 CAVALRY SABER

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Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2024-444

This is an unusual saber: the blade and scabbard are the M1840 style, but the grip is the Model 1860 style, though it should really be the M1857/60 style given the actual dates of development and manufacture of that pattern. In any case, the grip looks likes Ames work, and there are some late M1840s coming from Ames into 1858 at the same time the M1860 was being made, with Thillmann even recording one with an 1861 date. The blade is unmarked, but brim of the pommel cap has the very clear “DFM” stamp of Dexter F. Mosman, who began working for Ames as a grinder in 1829 and was still in Chicopee in the 1850s, listed as a machinist, though he seems to have been inspecting swords at Emerson and Silver from November/December 1862 to August 1864.

In addition to the “DFM” mark, the brim of the pommel cap has the number “7” stamped in several places, which seems more likely to be a rack number, than mating number for parts, though we note just a hint of irregularity in the peen of the blade tang, so we can’t rule out some later reconditioning by preference or necessity.  The leather grip and wire are excellent- the leather has great color and surface, with just some rubbing on the top near the pommel. The brass was polished at some point, but is toning down. The blade pad is in place on the underside of the guard. The blade is smooth metal, with good edge and point, showing as a muted silver gray mixed with thin darker gray areas. The scabbard has the throat, bands, rings and drag in place, and shows as brown, with no rust, but dings and shallow dents on the lower portion starting about half-way between the lower ring band and the drag, showing it was issued had some field use.

Thillmann postulates reconditioning or using up older pattern blades as the explanation for some late, unmarked Ames M1840s, and the use of the newer pattern grip would fit either circumstance. In any case, this is a scarce and interesting saber, not a modern assembly, and worth some study. The appearance of rack numbers on the pommel also suggests there may be others out there perhaps made on special order or limited contract.  [sr] [ph:L]

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