Produced by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts, the saber presented here is one of 500 contract pieces delivered to the U.S. Ordnance Department in 1858. Blade is lightly curved with a flat, wide back and is single-edged with just a slight false edge. This sword, also called a dragoon heavy cavalry saber, measures 36” long, has an integral wide fuller 26½” long with a narrow fuller some 18 1/8” long. Weighing 4½ lbs., including the steel scabbard, the blade on this wrist breaker is marked with a clear, three- line “AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS” on the reverse ricasso. Obverse ricasso shows a sharp “US / J H / 1858”. The hefty steel blade has been cleaned and shows evidence of sharpening at the upper part of the blade edge. Edge has a number of deep nicks and cuts visible. Blade has a mellow, gray sheen.

The heavy, two-branch brass hilt, still with its original buff leather washer, is strong and tight to the tang. Hilt wears a mellow bronze patina overall. Grips are very good with light scuffing in spots and a surface crack near pommel. The molded, wooden handle is covered with black leather wrapped with thin, double twisted brass wire wound around the handle. Leather wrap and the wire tight. Cavalry saber has a brass pommel cap in the Phrygian design with a pommel brim that exhibits inspector marks of “W. A. T.” and “J. H”.

The original iron scabbard is unadorned, unmarked and has acquired a gray / brown patina with rust pitting overall. No drag wear visible but the numeral “17” is marked on drag. Both sword mounts are tight and retain the original suspension rings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!