This Model 1840 Ames cavalry saber would be tough to surpass for date and condition. The blade is bright with excellent edge and point, and a mirror finish for most of its length. The scabbard matches in condition, has throat, rings and drag in place, showing just the tiniest dusting of gray in a couple of spots and two or three small dings near the drag. The tang is undisturbed on the pommel cap, showing the sword has not been apart, and the pommel cap bears the inspection marks “WAT” (William Thorton) and “NWP” (Nahum Patch,) which is matched on the ricasso of the blade. The US over the NWP on the obverse of the ricasso is clear, as is the NP Ames/ Cabotville/1846 stamp on the reverse, both stamps having just some rubbing on the top, and the top left of the NP Ames. The leather pad is in place on the underside of the guard. The black leather grip wrap and brass twisted wire binding are in place and tight. The brass hilt has a medium, aged patina that matches well with great condition of the blade and scabbard.

Although termed the Model 1840, the first order for these sabers was given to Ames only in 1844, and there was a lag in tooling up for production, so that by the end of 1846 only 3,000 had been delivered. This is an excellent example of their early production and has a scarce Mexican War date to boot, making it a candidate for service in Mexico, California and the southwest, as well as the early Indian Wars in the hands of both volunteer mounted troops and the regiments of US regular dragoons.  [sr]

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