SCARCE AMES 1860-DATED LIGHT CAVALRY SABER: MOST WENT TO VIRGINIA COURTESY OF BUCHANAN’S SECRETARY OF WAR, J.B. FLOYD

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Item Code: 362-1263

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This 1860-dated Ames light cavalry saber stands a very good chance of having been carried by a Virginia Confederate cavalryman. Of approximately 1,400 made that year and delivered to the U.S. government between mid-February 1860 and Jan 11, 1861, 1,200 (particularly from among those made from March to September 1860) were forwarded to Virginia at the direction of U.S. Secretary of War, native Virginian and former state Governor, John B. Floyd. By his direction, they were inspected by U.S. government inspectors, with the state reimbursing the cost.

This is a good example with an undisturbed, aged patina with darker stains to the brass hilt. The leather wrap and wire binding are there. The wire is complete. The leather shows wear, exposing some of the wood core on the last four ridges before the pommel and on the sides under the pommel but the wood is dark and blends in well. The blade pad is in place. The blade is full length with the edge showing only one small nick and point being good as well. The blade shows as gray with some thin brown and darker gray patches, mostly smooth metal but with short patch of shallow brown salt-and-peppering about a third of the way down on the obverse.

The marking on the obverse ricasso is very good: “US / J.T. / 1860,” with just some rubbing to the “S.” The reverse marking is very good as well- the banner scroll with “Made by / AMES MFG Co. / CHICOPEE / MASS” in the middle is fully legible with just some rubbing to outline banner scroll, with the blade even showing some faint signs of cross-polishing above that.

The scabbard has the throat, ring bands and carrying rings, and drag in place. The scabbard is dark brown overall. The drag shows some crustiness and pitting, with shallow pitting and slight scaling a couple of inches above that, otherwise good and solid, all just expected signs of real field use. With an 1860 date, this would have seen four full years of war.

This is an interesting and historic sword, its pre-war date tying in with fears aroused by John Brown’s 1859 raid and the rising secession crisis of 1860, a sword that was obviously issued and saw service, but survives in good condition. This would make a great addition to a cavalry, edged weapons, or purely Ames collection. With the strong potential for Virginia and Confederate use it would also fit in with a Confederate cavalry display. As a side note, in February 1862, given immediately pre-war arms transfers of these and other weapons to southern states, then Confederate General Floyd thought it best not to be taken prisoner at the surrender of Fort Donelson and escaped on a steamboat.  [sr] [ph:L]

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