Guns International #: 102911354
Seller's Inventory #: SHOP-INV

Category - Edged Weapons Post 1900 - Collectibles - Civil War

Category
Edged Weapons Post 1900
Collectibles - Civil War

Per Civil War Ames U.S. Model 1833 Dragoon Saber, Dated 1837

Description:
This is an excellent example of the U.S. Cavalry’s first standard issued saber, the Model 1833. This saber is dated 1837 and was produced by the legendary N.P. Ames Cutler of Springfield in 1837 during the “Frontier Wars”, also known as the Indian Wars.
In 1833, the U.S. Army formed its first official mounted regiments, the First and Second Dragoons. These soldiers rode into battle, and then dismounted to fight, the beginning of the United States Cavalry. Until then the only mounted units available to the nation were state and local mounted militia, often equipped with surplus older-model sabers, as per the 1808 “Act for Arming and Equipping the Whole Body of the Militia of the United States.” The blades, largely from government stores, including 20,000 Nathan Starr sabers contracted between 1812 and 1818 (with final delivery made in 1822), served as American horse soldiers’ primary weapons for decades.
From 1834 through 1839, the government contracted with the N.P. Ames Company for 6,100 Model 1833 Dragoon sabers, which were based on the Pattern 1822 British Officers’ Light Cavalry Saber. Soon after the sabers were issued, American soldiers complained that the weapon was altogether too light, and that the blade itself was not suitable for a good thrust. Further, the scabbard was prone to being dented or bent, all legitimate grievances for men whose lives depended on the weapons.
Sometime during its short production life, Ames increased the 1833 Dragoon sabers’ weight from 13½ ounces to 19½ ounces, while the blade’s 34-inch length was not changed in any way; the scabbard was lengthened from 35 inches to 36 inches. This blade is almost exactly 34” in length while the scabbard is 35” and is one of the earlier produced ones.
While not as durable as desired, the 1833 Dragoon saber was expertly finished with a gleaming brass hilt with a knuckle bow and two-branch guard, and a pommel topped with a recessed slotted nut that facilitated replacement of broken blades in the field, all of which is present and correct on this example. The handles on enlisted sabers were wrapped in black leather with seven rows of twisted brass-wire wrapping which three are no longer present unfortunately on this handle. The leather wrap is still present on the handle but is now worn to an almost brown color.
Blades were etched “N.P. AMES, CUTLER, SPRINGFIELD,” along with the date of manufacture, ranging from as early as 1834 to as late as 1840. The etching on the ricasso is still present and able to be read properly with a date of 1837. The opposite side of the blade has a lovely script etching that reads as United States. The U.S. sub inspector’s initials “W.S. is stamped on the quillon on the brass guard. The blade is still surprisingly bright and in very nice condition. The scabbard is steel and made with a flared trumpet- style throat, narrow saber strap ring bands with key rings. The finish is almost completely gone and the color now presents itself as being a darkened brown with surface oxidation as well as past pitting. There are two bends one on each side of the scabbard at the bottom. These bends were intentionally done to keep the sword from rattling when riding.
This is an incredible, rare example of the US Cavalry’s first official saber
 

Price: $1,500.00