US Model 1840 Light Artillery Sword by Ames

Allied Forces > United States > Edged Weapons >

This specimen is a Model 1840 Artillery Saber and scabbard, the type carried by enlisted men of the U.S. Army Horse Artillery, a relatively small branch of the federal military. It was made by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusens, the leading supplier of swords to the U.S. armed forces. The Model 1840 proved to bo a solid, well-designed sidearm and saw extensive use during the Civil Wu. The subject piece is a mid-Civil War period Model 1840 Type-2 saber. Overall condition rates Very Fine-Excellent. The 32 1/4" curved, single.ged blade has one broad fuller and rates Very Fine with much original polish and some minor tarnish. The obverse rica.sso is stamped "U.SJA.D.KJ1863" in 3 lines while the reverse ricasso is suppliermarked"AMES MF p Cp./CHICOPEE/MASS." in the three-line, block-print formal, somewhat right-justified. There is a leather buffer pad present at the guard. The "A.D.K." stands for Andrew D. King. a U.S. govcmment ordnance inspector. The wood pip is covered in black leather and wound with twisted brass wire, all in Excellent condition. The domed, brass pommel is of the Phrygian helmet pattern. The brass knuckle-bow guard is marked .A.D.K." and curves evenly, terminating in ■ disc-shaped quillon above the blade. All brass components are age-patinated and in Excellent condition. The scabbard is bright steel in overall V, Fine condition with two suspension rings, throat-mount and drag. The drag is stamped "A.D.K." matching the sword inspection mark. The saber and scabbard are still constructed as they left the factory, with no replacement parts or alterations of any kind. This item is an excellent example of authentic Civil Wu militaria accepted for service by U.S. Ordnance in 1863. During the Civil War years, only about 28,000 Enlisted Artillery Sabers were produced as compared with somewhat over 400,000 Cavalry Sabers, making the Model 1840 Artillery a scarce and desirable piece of Civil War history.

Comes wiht a COA from James Kaplan