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Title:	SABER -  U.S. SABER MODEL 1840 ARTILLERY
Maker/Manufacturer:	AMES MFG. CO.
Date of Manufacture:	1863
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 6605
Measurements:	OL: 96.5CM 38" BL: 81.2CM 32"

Object Description:

U.S. SABER MODEL 1840 ARTILLERY
Manufactured by Ames Mfg. Co., Chicopee, Ma. in 1863 - Standard Model 1840 Artillery saber. Curved single-edged blade. Fuller runs from ricasso to within 6" of tip of blade. Wire-wrapped leather grip. Complete with 34 1/4" metal scabbard with two rings.

Markings:
Ricasso: U.S./A.D.K./1863.
Reverse: AMES MFG. CO./CHICOPEE/MASS.

1909 Catalog #13-092 - "Saber. Blade stamped Ames M'f'g Co. Chicopee, Mass., and A.D.K., 1863. Steel scabbard, brass guard."

Notes: "The model 1840 artillery sabers were used for an extended period of time beginning in 1840 and lasting until the turn of the century, with Ames being the primary manufacturer form 1844 through 1865. They are, however, among the scarcest of the class of swords that fit the term 'sabers.' because the mounted artillery was a small branch of service. Introduced into the United States service with the Schnitzler and Krischbaum contract in 1840, Ames received their first contract in 1844. Ames manufactured the model 1840 in small batches of 500 to 1,000 until the advent of the U.S. Civil War in 1861 when orders blossomed.
Enlisted Artillery Saber: The new model of 1840 artillery saber for the light artillery (mounted) were made only by Ames for the government during 1840s and 1850s except for the small S&K contract batches of 1840 and 1847. Over time, the enlisted and officers' models evolved together. The earliest type was made by Ames under contract from 1844 to 1860 in the enlisted version and for officers (privately purchased) during approximately the same time frame. Referred to as the type 1, it has a recess inlayed into the handguard facing the blade, which accepts the scabbard throat. The scabbard throat of this early type has a raw edge without a mount so that it would slide easily into the guard recess and it has a blade spring just inside of the scabbard at the top secured by a rivet flush on the outside. There was a bridle leather blade washer between the guard and blade tang but it was at the bottom of the recess and is often missing. This type 1 Ames also has a recess on the grip side of the guard to help secure the leather covered wood grip and its pommel cap has a flat profile like was S&K. The second variation referred to as the Type 2 was made from 1860 to 1865. It has a flush guard on the blade side without a recess and its corresponding scabbard has a throat mount with the same profile width as the model 1860 cavalry saber. The blade washer was flush with the guard and pommel cap has a dome, presumably to provide a thicker brass end-cap making the blade tang more secure to the hilt." - Thillmann

"As early as 1832 the Ordnance Department had requested that sample swords be purchased from Europe for comparison to those issued to U.S. troops and militia. It is assumed that in 1832 Lt. Daniel Tyler, USA, on ordnance duty in France, purchased three artillery sabers there, each of a different pattern. One of the French sabers was probably the Mounted Gunner's, M1829.
In 1839 the American Minister in Paris was directed by the War Department to purchase form the French Arsenal 300 artillery sabers. It is believed that they were sent to the Western frontier for trial by the U.S. Horse Artillery during the 1840s; the Horse Artillery were mounted with the dragoons.
On August 28, 1840, the Ordnance Department contracted with Schnitzler & Kirschbaum (S&K) for 500 'Horse Artillery sabers' which were deliverd by April-May, 1841; these sabers included in the same contract with the M1840 Heavy Cavalry (Dragoon) sabers.
On August 26, 1844, Nathan P. Ames, Jr., received his first contract for the M1840 Light (Horse) Artillery saber which the Ordnance Department referred to as Horse Artillery sabers. The contract, which included the M1840 Heavy Cavalry (Dragoon) saber, called for 500 and they were delivered on August 29, 1845.
Ames made two variations of the M1840 Light (Horse) Artillery saber. The first version was patterned directly from the M1829 French saber which had no reinforced scabbard throat, the scabbard bodThe second Ames variation, dated from 1861 to 1865, had the conventional reinforced scabbard throat with a collar. In this version the guard is flat on the bottom with no scabbard recess. It should be noted that there was probably a production overlap between variations during the 1860-1861 period.
Ordnance Department records indicate that Ames was the only U.S. manufacturer of the M1840 Light (Horse) Artillery saber until the advent of the Civil War in 1861; however, during the conflict there were several other contractors producing that model for the Ordnance Department.
Final delivery of the Ames M1840 Light (Horse) Artillery saber to the Ordnance Department was made April 29, 1865 when 2,000 were received. A total of 24,602 sabers were manufactured by Ames from 1844 to 1865." - Hickox

See, The Fabrication of Small Arms, pg. 215 & The American Sword, pg. 43 No. 41.

References:
Crouch, Howard R. HISTORIC AMERICAN SWORDS. SCS Publications. Fairfax, Va. 1999.
Furr, Clegg Donald. AMERICAN SWORDS & MAKERS' MARKS. The Paragon Agency. Orange, Ca. 1999.
Hickox, Ron G. COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO AMES U.S. CONTRACT MILITARY EDGED WEAPONS: 1832-1906. Pioneer Press. Union City, Tn. 1984.
Thillmann, John H. CIVIL WAR CAVALRY & ARTILLERY SABERS: A STUDY OF UNITED STATES CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY SABERS, 1833-1865. Andrew Mowbray Publishers. Lincoln, R.I. 2001.