Adopted in 1840 alongside several other new patterns of regulation U.S. army swords, the Model 1840 Light Artillery saber was intended for enlisted artillerymen who served mounted and a similar pattern was adopted for their officers and for mounted officers in the infantry (i.e., field and staff) at the same time. Deliveries by Ames started in 1844 and continued into 1865, amounting to a total of 24,605, the majority of which were purchased during the Civil War.

These sabers were available to states through the US government under terms of the militia act, but could also be purchased directly. This one is clearly marked on the reverse ricasso, "Made by / Ames Mfg Co / Chicopee / Mass," with some rubbing to the top line and edges of the scroll framing it, and is crisply marked on the obverse ricasso "1862 / CONN” indicating it was made specifically for the state. As such, it correctly lacks any U.S. inspection marks, the date and state abbreviation likely indicating it passed whatever inspection was mandated at the factory. The inside face of quillon is crisply stamped “10,” certainly a rack or inventory number added by the state or by a unit. The scabbard throat is similarly marked on one side with a number that seems to have been “10” also and was then overstamped to read “111,” which was then applied also to the other side of the throat.

The saber follows the standard configuration of the pattern, with curved, 32-¼” single edged blade, with flat back and single, wide fuller, brass hilt with knucklebow and no side branches, etc. The hilt is excellent, with an undisturbed medium patina to the brass, nice undisturbed peening of the blade tang on the pommel, very good finish to the black leather grip and full, tight binding wire. The leather sealing pad is present on the underside of the grip, which is correct for these “Type-II” sabers, introduced about 1860, using conventional scabbard with throat rather than a recessed area on the underside of the guard to accept a throat-less scabbard. The blade is muted silver gray in color with scattered dark spots in the fuller and along the edge, which has a few small nicks, but is full length and with good point. The scabbard is good as well, with throat, carrying rings and bands, and drag in place. There are no dents or dings and the scabbard shows as a mix of steel gray and bluish-brown.

This is a nice Civil War sword with a firm identification to a state, a recognized variant marking, and rack numbers indicating it was actually issued. Connecticut fielded three volunteer light artillery batteries during the war and seems also to have maintained two “Flying Artillery” companies in Bridgeport as part of the “active militia” in 1862- Flying Artillery Company A and Flying Artillery Company B, according to Todd, US Military Equipage. This deserves a place in a Civil War, US edged weapons, or artillery collection.  [sr] [ph:L]

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