The US pattern 1840 cavalry saber was intended to replace the lighter 1833 patterns. It was modeled on a French Model 1822 and the US government first contracted for them with the German firm of Schnitzler and Kirschbaum in 1841. It was not until 1844 that Ames was able to adequately manufacture the pattern and obtain US contracts, but thereafter the company had repeated contracts for them through 1858. These sabers armed the US dragoon regiments serving on the frontier, in Florida, Mississippi, Texas, the great plains and Indian country, and of course in Mexico. Some complaint was occasionally made of their weight, leading to the adoption of the 1860 pattern. It acquired the title of “Heavy Cavalry Saber,” versus the 1860 “Light Cavalry Saber,” and sometimes even, the “Old Wristbreaker,” but these were standard sabers of the US cavalry from the Mexican War through the Civil War.

This example is dated 1855, squarely in the midst of new arms development in the US and right at the point when cavalry regiments were introduced in the army as companions to the older dragoon regiments. This is a nice, untouched example with the grip showing original leather with good finish and no wear spots, and original wire, complete and tight. The hilt shows an undisturbed mix of darker brass patina and brighter areas where the original polish and gilt has been protected by lacquer. The hilt and blade are tight. The tang and pommel are smooth and the hilt has not been dismounted or tightened. The rim of the pommel cap shows the inspector initials “R.H.K.W.” of Captain Robert Henry Kirkwood Whitely, who was commander of the New York Ordnance Depot from 1854-58, and the initials, “JH,” Assistant Sub Inspector James Hawkins (1848-1859.)

The blade shows a thin, early nickel plating that remains largely in the bright, with a few small gray spots or short streaks showing from rubbing and a few brown spots near the tip. The point is good, as is the edge with the exception of short section seven or eight inches from the tip that shows a little roughness to the edge on the reverse side. The ricasso is crisply marked, “AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS / 1855” on the reverse and has a “US” over inspector initials “JH” on the obverse. The scabbard has its throat, rings and drag in place. It has no dents and full coverage of browning, showing just a few spots of light standing surface rust that will clean.

This is a nice example of a regulation US cavalry saber by the best known American maker of edge weapons in the period. [sr]

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