1840 artillery sabre

[1903sprfld]

I picked up a 1840 artillery sabre it has the wire but not the leather wrap and guard is a little loose because leather washer is dried out and shrunk The bade appears to have been heavily cleaned and has nicks in it I was wondering would it be worth while to send it some one and have the wrap and washer replaced or just leave it alone . Also is the some one out there that does this type of work. I picked it up just to set against my fireplace to go with my 1841 Mississippi rife

 

[mofederal]

Do you have a picture of it you can post? I am sure people here would like to see it. I know I would.

 

[Glen_C]

http://swordrestorationtn.com/

 

[1903sprfld]

ok here are some pics I got a good buy on it but when I got it I saw that the blade had been polished and it has a lot of nicks in it would it be worth having the handle leather and the washer replacd

 

[WJC]

ok here are some pics I got a good buy on it but when I got it I saw that the blade had been polished and it has a lot of nicks in it would it be worth having the handle leather and the washer replacd

You may not have meant it, but by saying, "I got a good buy... but...." it seems you are questioning whether it was a "good buy'. That's something only you can answer. It all depends on what you wanted it for: were you looking for a 'decorator', a collector grade heirloom to pass along to your grandchildren or an investment?
As for the condition, if it is not what you expected, return it and find another more to your liking. It's your money....

 

[1903sprfld]

I was just looking for something to hang next to my Mississippi rifle I did not want to put a lot of money into one but now I am just trying to decide if I want to have the handle restored

 

[WJC]

I was just looking for something to hang next to my Mississippi rifle I did not want to put a lot of money into one but now I am just trying to decide if I want to have the handle restored

It will make a great 'decorator' as is. If you choose to have it repaired, let us know how it turns out. Always interested in these restorations....

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

I wouldn't touch it. The grip doesn't look bad at all and in fact still has a lot of the original leather albeit quite worn down. As it is, your sword looks, and is, authentic; new leather may well look out of place with the rest of the sword. Your sword is a Type 1 with a recess on the underside of the cross guard into which the top of the throatless scabbard would fit. Although it is hard to tell from the photo, it appears your scabbard may be a Type 2, which did have a throat. (See photos below.)

If so, no big deal. Such mis-matches are not uncommon as swords and scabbards got switched around. In either case, it appears your sword still has a lot of the original leather washer at the bottom of the recess, and replacing it would do nothing to improve the appearance of the sword. Does your sword have markings? Most type 1's were made by Ames, although the original contract was with the Prussian firm of Schnitzler & Kirshbaum (S&K), which received a second contract in 1847 during the Mexican War. They were marked on the spine of the blade. Here an example from the 1840 contract:

Bottom line, I think you have a nice sword as is and it looks good in your display with the Mississippi Rifle and the M1861 Navy cutlass.

 

[JOHN42768]

All very nice

 

[originalrebelyell]

I like it I would leave it as it is it's original

 

[1903sprfld]

it is marked AMS on the other side a J an maybe an L can not tell for sure very worn. the scabbard must be a type2 looking at the handle up close it looks to me like the wire is wrapped around the wood anyway I will take your advice and leave it alone thanks

 

[originalrebelyell]

Its a nice looking sword.