This Type-1 US 1840 pattern artillery saber is dated 1846 and marked to Company H 3^rd US Artillery, which played an active part in Scott’s campaign in Mexico and was the first light battery to enter Mexico City.

This saber follows the standard pattern of saber adopted by the U.S. for issue to enlisted men in field artillery batteries starting in 1840 and remaining regulation through the Civil War and into the early 1870s. This one was made by Ames, the best known contractor for U.S. edge weapons during the period. The brass hilt has a medium patina. The grip leather and twisted binding wire are in place. The leather shows some wear along the high points, but is not worn through to the wood and has not had any leather dressing, polish or preservative applied. The blade has a good edge and point, is smooth metal with no pitting, and is largely a muted silver gray in color with some darker gray spots and gray areas near the point. The blade bears a “US” over “NWP” inspector and acceptance stamp on the obverse ricaso. The reverse has a clear “NP Ames / Cabotville” stamp. The scabbard is solid, with an even brown patina and scattered light, salt and pepper pitting, The obverse shows a couple of ding just above the drag. The reverse has three light dings between the middle mount and drag, and one about half way between the middle and upper mount. The drag and both rings and bands are in place. This is the Type-1 configuration, where the scabbard has no throat, but fits into a recess on the underside of the guard to seal it. 500 of these sabers were contracted for and delivered by Ames in 1846. Some of the 500 contracted for in 1845, may have had this date as well, since they were not delivered until 1846.

This historic saber is s stamped on the obverse knucklebow, “Co H 3d A” with the “O” and “3D” being small, upper-case, suprascript letters following the large “C” and large “H.” The crossguard is engraved with a deep “LVIII,” certainly a rack or inventory number. The 3^rd U.S. Artillery had seen active service in the Florida Seminole Wars of the 1830s until the end of fighting in 1842, acting largely as infantry. After that it remained in the south, stationed at posts from Smithville, N.C., to St. Augustine, FL., until it was called west for service in the Mexican War.

Company C of the regiment had been designated the regiment’s light company in the 1830s, with the drivers armed with sabers and rest of the men armed with sabers and pistols. The other companies being “field” companies, the drivers armed with sabers, but the cannoneers with musketoons and, surprisingly, with sabers as well (Birkhimer, 335-336.) At the beginning of the Mexican War, however, Company H was assigned to the Volunteer Division and also mounted. Serving under Captain Wall and then Captain Steptoe, it was armed with four 12-pdr. brass guns and two 24-pdr. howitzers. At Cerro Gordo the howitzers played a key role, having been hauled up the hill of Atalaya, where they were used with effect. It fought at San Antonio with other companies of the regiment, but was not at Cherubusco, having been assigned to protect supply depots at San Augustine. It rejoined the other companies in time to fight at Chapultepec, and on September 11 was positioned on the right of the army to threaten the San Antonio and Candelaria Gates at Mexico City. It was there engaged until September 13, when it rejoined Quitman, who had stormed the Belen Gate, but was stalled without artillery support. Steptoe constructed a battery with heavy guns, but Mexico City surrendered before they were brought into action, but Company H was the first light company to enter the city. The company remained on duty in Mexico City until called back to Florida September 1849. At the beginning of the Civil War, the company served briefly in the east, but was then broken up and sent to the west coast to recruit again.

This is a seldom-offered opportunity to acquire a unit-identified weapon from an active Mexican War outfit, and an artillery battery as well. American artillery played a key role in the war, making up for inferior U.S. numbers with aggressiveness, discipline, boldness, and technical proficiency in both large and small combats.  [SR]

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