RARE IDENTIFIED 1860-DATED AMES MODEL 1860 LIGHT CAVALRY SABER AND SCABBARD - GEORGE BREAN, 6TH NEW JERSEY INFANTRY

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Item Code: 355-12

This identified, well-used specimen is a classic Civil War Federal edged weapon that was referred to as the "light cavalry saber" by the US Ordnance Department. Saber is one of those rare, early Ames contract, pre-Civil War Model 1860 cavalry pieces stamped "1860" and possibly could have seen war service in the hands of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart's horse regiments early in the war. 1,200 Model 1860 light cavalry sabers contracted in 1859 were shipped south to Virginia on orders from then Secretary John B. Floyd, himself a Virginian. Blades were all stamped with 'US' inspector marks and dated '1860'.

Weapon bears a period, stiff paper ID tag with the soldier's name and unit inscribed in ink. The tag is attached to the scabbard's lower sword ring with old brass twisted wire. Inscription reads "George Brean / Com. B / 6 Reg New Jersey / 2d B - / 3d D - Hooker / 3d Corps / Heintzlman". Only cursory research has been done on the soldier as yet. George Brean (spelled Breen in the records) enlisted on August 7, 1861 and mustered into service with Company B, 6th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry as a Sergeant on August 26, 1861. Breen served in the engagements with the NJ unit until his muster out at Trenton, NJ on September 7, 1864. This hard-fought regiment served in the Army of the Potomac through all its major battles and included Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Bristoe Station, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Gettysburg. Sgt. Breen rose through the enlisted ranks with promotions to 1st Sergeant and Sergeant Major and then gained officer commissions as a 2nd Lt. in Co E, followed as a 1st Lt. in Co B. George Breen definitely invites further research. It is highly probable that Sergeant Breen acquired this weapon from a Confederate horseman in battle, tagged the saber and sent it home to New Jersey.

Weighing just under four pounds, the slightly curved blade measures 35" long with a width of 1 1/16", a 27½" wide fuller and a 19" long narrow fuller. Blade address on the reverse ricasso exhibits a strong stamping in a four-line Ames Company mark. Markings read "Made by / AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS" with all letters within a scroll pattern. Obverse ricasso shows a clear "U. S. / A. D. K. / 1860" stamp. The steel blade exhibits scattered areas of dark, age discoloration and pinprick rust pitting overall. Blade wears a pleasing, dusky gray patina and appears to have been lightly cleaned. Four large edge nicks appear along the blade. Two-branch brass hilt is in fine condition, strong and tight to the tang with a very slight distortion to one branch. Brass retains a dark mellow, bronze patina with some surface grime overall. The center-swell wooden handle is covered with original black bridle leather and thin, double twisted brass wire wound around the grips. Leather wraps are very good with three small spots of chipping and scuffing. Brass wire tight and in fine condition. Cavalry saber exhibits a brass pommel cap in the Phrygian design, common on all M1860 sabers. Pommel brim has no inspector marks visible.

Strong, steel scabbard is unadorned and has acquired a dark, almost plum colored patina with scattered areas of old rust pitting overall. Sword mounts are tight and retain the original suspension sword rings. Upper ring mount shows heavy wear on the inside indicative of this saber being belted and worn much. Steel scabbard shows three or four small dents overall with scattered spots of old rust pockmarking. Drag has no inspector stamp. For more information see Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers by John H. Thillmann.

This identified, veteran, early-dated war weapon makes a fantastic display specimen and would enhance any Civil War saber collection or New Jersey display.

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