This wonderful sword is illustrated and discussed on page 105 of John Thillmann’s essential volume, “Civil War Cavalry and Artillery Sabers.” It has a silver plated scabbard and full coverage of original gilt on the hilt. The grip is black leather with wire binding in place. The configuration is the “type-1” with a recess in the underside of the guard to receive the scabbard throat. The scabbard is excellent, with a very pleasing age tarnish. Drag and rings are in place. There are no dents or dings.

The blade is bright with vivid etching that follows the usual Type-1 etching, but with a few differences. The obverse has a plant spray or palmette above the ricasso with a vine on lattice above, over which is “N.P. Ames / Cutler / Springfield” in the Ames “fat” style, between two rows of thick open ropework. Above that are floral scrolls top and bottom with a panoply of arms and liberty cap on pole near the bottom and an American eagle with E Pluribus Unum ribbon and sunburst rays that are a counterpoint to the palmette at bottom. The reverse has floral scrolls at bottom with a panoply of arms featuring arrows and quiver amid floral elements followed by a large “NY” with leaves on either side and the figure of an American Indian, Tecumseh, with raised tomahawk. The back edge of the blade is etched with floral elements as well. There are a couple of very minor gray spots near the tip. The point and edge are flawless.

The etching of “NY” instead of “US” certainly indicates ownership by an officer of that state. Etched on the obverse ricasso in wide block numbers is the date “1848,” and on the reverse ricasso are the large initials “J.G.W.” in a clipped corner rectangular cartouche. These are certainly the initials of the owner or recipient and date he obtained it. Given the date, the sword might very well be a parting gift to or purchase by one of that state’s officers with Mexican War service. This saber was regulation not only for officers of artillery, but for “mounted officers of infantry,” that is: field and staff officers, and it shows up in many daguerreotypes of officers in the regular army, volunteers, and militia of the Mexican War period.

This saber could be the centerpiece of a U.S. edged weapons collection. For condition and visual appeal, it would be hard to surpass.  [sr]

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

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!