Produced by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts this weapon is a Model 1860 Light Cavalry saber with an uninspected blade dated “1860” on the ricasso. It is known that 1200 of the 5,000 sabers of this pattern produced under an 1859 Government contract, and dated “1860” on the ricasso, were shipped to the state of Virginia and used during the Civil War. These edged weapons are discussed on page 80 of John Thillmann’s work “CIVIL WAR CAVALRY & ARTILLERY SABERS.” In that section Mr. Thillmann states that the sabers were inspected, however, he also states that he knows of one uninspected example. This is a second.

The bright, slightly curved blade has a surface that shows only small scattered amounts of mottling and no pitting. It measures approx. 35.00 inches long with a stopped wide fuller that meas. approx. 26.25 inches long and a narrow fuller that is approx. 18.50 inches long. The blade edge has some small nicks that can be felt rather than seen. Obverse riccasso is only marked “1860” with no sign of any other markings. The reverse ricasso bears a slightly worn four-line maker’s mark in a scroll that reads “MADE BY / AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS.”  The leather washer at the base of the ricasso is missing.

The brass two-branch guard and knucklebow are strong, tight and wear a pleasing uneven light patina. The brass pommel cap is void of any markings. The quillon has been bent forward toward the blade spine. The shallow grooved, center-swell wood grip features a very nice medium brown leather that shows some light crazing but is otherwise in good condition. Brass wire wrap is tight. Knucklebow has the remains of a faded and threadbare gold saber knot with three parallel rows of blue lines on each edge.

The original undented steel scabbard was silver plated at one time and this is now peeling and rubbed off in some areas that show oxidation. Both mounts and rings are present as are the throat and drag. Still attached to the rings are the remains of the leather drops from a belt. One still retains the brass “D” ring and hook off the belt.

A rare saber with possible Virginia Confederate use.  [ad]

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