Up for sale is a Classic Ames Model 1840 Cavalry Sword and Scabbard in Great condition. It was made by the famous Ames Company of Cabotville, Massachusetts and is dated 1849. It is Government inspected and maker marked by the most sought after American maker. Every Civil War Collector needs an Ames 1840 Cavalry saber! These were commonly called the Old Wristbreaker swords by the troopers that carried them because of their massive size. Some Calvary men preferred them to the new model 1860 light cavalry sword that came out at the beginning of the Civil War. Ames manufactured swords have always been highly prized. They were the premier sword maker in America in the 1800’s and have a long history of quality workmanship on all their swords. Prior to the Civil War, Ames was the only American company to receive a Government contract to produce the model 1840 cavalry sword from 1844–1858. Ames received their first order in August of 1844 and delivered their final 500 to the Government in August of 1858. They delivered a total of 23,700 of the model 1840 Cavalry swords to the Government and of those, 2,000 were ordered in 1849. When the US Government Chief of Ordnance wanted a new light cavalry pattern to replace the model 1840 heavy cavalry sword, they went to James T. Ames and requested that his company produce the new pattern sword for evaluation. When the war broke out in 1861 it was the Ames model 1840 cavalry swords that were in service and in the Armories that were issued to the new troops. The new model 1860 had only produced around 7,000 specimens and some of those had gone south before the war. So these model 1840’s were issued at the very start of the war and saw a lot of service.
The guard, grip, and blade are all tight to each other and have no play to them at all. The brass on this sword has a beautiful patina to it just like it has been stored away for 100 years and never touched. The hand guard branches and hilt are in perfect form. The pommel cap has double inspector’s marks. On one side it has the Armory sub-inspector’s mark of W.D., which stood for the government inspector William Dickenson who inspected for the federal Government from 1848-1850. On the opposite side it also has a J.W.R. inspector’s mark, which stood for the government inspector James Wolfe Ripley who inspected for the federal Government from 1843-1854. The grip is perfect and has Beautiful Full Original Leather that is one of the nicest I have seen. It is not missing any leather at all! The Original wire is Beautiful as well and has a nice wear pattern to it and nice patina. The wire is nice and tight and could not be nicer. It all displays wonderfully!
The blade is in wonderful condition and is semi bright. It has a very strong maker mark of-----“Ames Mfg. Co. Cabotville”--- and under that is---“1849”---. On the other side it is stamped with---“U.S.”--- and again with the Government inspector marks of---“W.D.” that match the one on the pommel cap. As you can see in the pics, it even still has it’s full original leather washer in tact. It all displays wonderfully.
The original steel scabbard is in Fantastic Condition! It still retains both rings as well as the throat piece. It is whole and complete and does not have any dents to it. It has an untouched beautiful patina to it. As you can see in the pics, it has some old scattered white paint splatter that can easily be removed. It is straight as an arrow and could not be nicer! It displays Great!
This is an Original Classic Ames Wristbreaker Cavalry Sword and Scabbard and would be hard to find one better. This would have probably been in the armory and issued right at the beginning of the war to the weapon hungry cavalry troops. I have tried to describe them as completely as I can and feel free to email me with any questions. Here is your chance to own an original Civil War Cavalry Sword that is maker marked, dated, and government inspected. I guarantee satisfaction and offer a three-day inspection period. If you want to return it, notify me within three days after you receive it and all I ask is that it is in the same condition as sent and you pay the shipping. No handling fees or fees. Winning buyer pays shipping and insurance. How often do you get the chance to own a historical, antique, cutlass that was used in the War Between the States? Thanks and good luck.
On Apr-21-15 at 05:00:27 PDT, seller added the following information:
Forgot to mention that the original scabbard has inspection marks on the upper strap showing the scabbard was inspected and approved for service for the U.S government!
