A very good example of a war-date US light artillery saber and scabbard: full length, smooth metal to the blade with good edge and point, full black leather grip wrap and twisted brass binding wire are in place, nice patina to the brass, the leather washer in place under the guard, and scabbard is free of dents and has the carrying rings, drag and throat in place.

The peening of the blade tang on the top of the pommel is undisturbed. The brass shows a medium, unpolished patina. The color and surface of the leather are good, with no wear spots or flaking. The wire is tight. The leather blade pad is present. The obverse ricasso is clearly stamped U.S. / AHC / 1863 with the left leg of the A a bit light, but the letter unambiguously A and the initials clearly of Archibald H. Ceiley, and Armory Subinspector 1862-1863. The reverse ricassso has some shallow corrosion but clearly shows the “AMES Mfg Co / CHICOPEE / MASS” portion of the address.  The blade shows as a muted silver gray with some darker gray spots shifting a bit to a thin brown near the guard.

The scabbard is complete, with carrying ring bands, rings, drag and throat in place. The tip of the drag shows the ADK inspection mark of Andrew D. King (working 184-1865,) with the first letter light, but the initials unambiguous. The scabbard shows as a thin brown over some underlying brighter metal, with some thin crustiness or freckling here and there, but no serious pitting, dents or dings.

These sabers were adopted in 1840 for mounted artillerymen, with Ames supplying a total of 24,602 to the government from 1844 through 1865 by Thillmann’s count. He gives a total of 5,513 delivered in 1863, though some of the earliest 213 were likely 1862 dated and some of the last, delivered by February 10, 1864, may have been dated 1864.

This is a very good example of a regulation US Army Civil War saber that would fill a gap in an Civil War artillery display or US military edge weapons collection.  [sr][ph:L]

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

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!