CIVIL WAR - UNION - SWORD UNSIGNED - HFSID 286010
Price: $3,500.00
CIVIL WAR: UNION CAVALRY SABRE. Sword, overall length 43½ inches,
and scabbard. The sword, which has a steel blade, has a brass hilt and wire and
leather wrapped grip. The scabbard is steel. Sword is marked on ricasso:
"Ames Mfg. Co. Chicopee, Mass. US JH 1858". On April 14, 1858, Ames
Manufacturing Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts received an order from the
Ordnance Department for 800 "New Pattern" Light Cavalry sabres. All 800 of these
sabres, including this one, were delivered in October 1858, making them the
first one percent of the 81,300 Light Cavalry sabres that Ames would produce
for the Ordnance Department during the Civil War. This is likely the sword of
an enlisted man, as their swords were usually dated on the ricasso. During
the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Army was divided into three components:
the infantry, the artillery and the cavalry. In the early stages of the war, the
cavalry supported the artillery and infantry by scouting, gathering intelligence
and generally serving as the "eyes and ears" of the Army. As the war progressed,
however, the cavalry took an increasingly offensive role, and by the end of the
war the Union cavalry was recognized as fearsome offensive force. The light
cavalry always fought mounted, using pistols and sabres, such as the one offered
here. A detailed history of the development of the cavalry during the American
Civil War can be viewed at www.civilwarcavalry.com/cavalry.htm. Various
inspector marks to hilt and scabbard. Overall, fine condition.
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