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Title:	SABER -  U.S. SABER MODEL 1860 CAVALRY
Maker/Manufacturer:	AMES MFG. CO.
Date of Manufacture:	1865
Eminent Figure:	ANEY, CAPTAIN J.L.
Catalog Number:	SPAR 6608
Measurements:	OL:104.1CM 41" BL: 87.6CM 34 1/2"

Object Description:

U.S. SABER MODEL 1860 CAVALRY
Manufactured by Ames Mfg. Co., Chicopee, Mass. in 1865 - Standard Model 1860 Cavalry saber. French style brass hilt, with brown leather covered grip. Curved single-edged blade with one wide fuller running 27 1/4" length of blade. Blade width 1". This saber, manufactured in 1865, probably saw little action in the Civil War, but was returned from Europe in WWI indicating it may have carried by a soldier in that war. Ames manufactured approximately 82,300 of these sabers.

Markings:
Ricasso: US/GWC/1865. GWC = George W. Chapin.
Reverse: MADE BY/AMES MFG. CO./CHICOPEE/MASS.

See, Ordnance Manual of 1862. Part of Cpt. Aney's WWI Collection - 1919.

Notes: In about 1860 a light saber was introduced for the cavalry. After the war a debate raged as to the usefulness of the sword. The question, however, was never settled, and troopers were obliged to carry the saber well into the 20th century.

"Collectors of Civil War cavalry sabers see various manufacturers' products at Civil War and antique gun shows, but put a premium on Ames swords. They are seen in all kinds of condition from used-up to brand new. But all have Ames name and a mystique that seems to add a premium to the price. Notwithstanding this, Ames had the greatest production run from 1857 through 1865 of model 1860 cavalry sabers of any other manufacturer. The total number was 82,300 (not including 9,950 foreign imported enlisted and 50 imported sabers) making them the most plentiful and available today.
The model 1860 enjoyed a very large production run for Ames. Only minor differences show up in the saber markings, but the model 1860 saw almost no measurable differences in its dimensions. The most prominent difference in the blade length of the earliest observed 1858 - dated Ames, which was 34 inches, having a comparable scabbard body length of 35 inches. By the next dated year, a saber stamped 1859 has a blade length of 35 inches and has a scabbard body length of 35 1/4". The brass wire twists per inch varies slightly from 12 to 13 per inch, which is considered to be within normal tolerances. The wood grip, leather wrap and wire gauge is the same. The brass work of the hilt is up to the expected quality of Ames work as are the blade and scabbard.
Some very rare early Ames scabbards made in 1857 and 1858 for the model 1860 have the very thin throat insert that is the same as on the model 1840 scabbard. Presumably, they were made at the same time....
The most notable differences in the markings on Ames enlisted model 1860 cavalry sabers are the blade date, the inspectors, and the blade address and date stamp." - Thillmann

"US Model 1860 light cavalry sabre and scabbard. The steel scabbard is made in one piece, rolled and then brazed closed, with suspension loops and end shoe also brazed into place. A sprung steel collar fits into the neck of the scabbard, and helps to hold the blade in place. The blade is forged in one piece, with the wooden grip, brass guard and pommel all held in place by a rivet. It was of questionable use in the field, being issued unsharpened, but was undoubtedly a status symbol for cavalrymen. Cumbersome and noisy, it was invariably left behind when on campaign." - Pegler

"The men were armed with the carbine and the revolver; no one, not even the officer of the day, carried the sabre." - Capt. Edward S. Godfrey, "CUSTER'S LAST BATTLE," Century Magazine, Jan., 1892.

"The sabre in Indian fighting is simply a nuisance - they jingle abominably, and are of no earthly use." - Col. Albert G. Brackett.

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.
Hamilton, John D. THE AMES SWORD COMPANY 1829-1935. Mowbray Company. Providence, R.I. 1983.
Pegler, Martin. WARRIOR SERIES 4: US CAVALRYMAN 1865-1890. Reed Consumer Books Ltd. London, England. 1993.
Thillmann, John H. CIVIL WAR CAVALRY & ARTILLERY SABERS. Andrew Mowbray Publishers. Lincoln, R.I. 2001.