Ames 1860 Confederate Saber

[Bonedaddy]

Pictures of my Ames 1860 Cavalry Saber dated 1860 that was one of the group sent to Virginia before the war to Jeb Stuart's Cavalry. According to Mr. John Thillman, these sabers were marked with a star to designate their shipment to Virginia, which mine has. It is very tight, with normal wear, but only one strand of the wrapped wire is present. It certainly shows a lot of use! This is a keeper and one I am very proud to own and pass down to my grandson eventually.

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[captaindrew]

Nice!

 

[JOHN42768]

Very nice sword

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Definitely a keeper! Any idea how many of these star-marked swords were sent to Virginia?

 

[Lanyard Puller]

1200 were ordered and delivered by Ames from March to Sept., 1860

 

[UCVRelics]

Very Nice and a for sure KEEPER.

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Some other swords which were sent South were not marked with the "Southern Star", i.e. those swords with no inspectors' marks which were early shipments made before Ames received the memo from Chief of Ordnance Craig instructing them that the Virginia swords were to be inspected in the same manner as usual. On these, the reverse ricasso is stamped with the "1860" date with no
'U.S." or inspector's initial.

 

[frontrank2]

Look up Tom Nardi Sword Restoration to get your handle rewrapped.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

If you decide to have the grip re-done, do the wire only. Tom will do a good job for you without damaging the leather wrap.

The leather appears to be in good condition with worn areas exactly where a Virginia troopers hand would have gripped it in the 1860's. Let your Grandson touch that same leather. Two of mine {sorta rushed the photos} are below which, because of the wear, I'd not touch. IMHO. (I too shoot competition pistol...noticed your patches in one of your photos}

 

[Bonedaddy]

Thanks for all input. I have no plans of altering the saber in any way.

 

[Lubliner]

I am curious how sharply honed these swords were on shipment.
Lubliner.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

All of these Va. sabers I've encountered have a full length, well sharpened edge. Ames did not make them that way.

 

[James N.]

I am curious how sharply honed these swords were on shipment.
Lubliner.

They shouldn't have been at all! Although some swords and sabers were sharpened in the field, especially by volunteer troops who admittedly were by far the majority, that was nevertheless against regulations. The blow from a saber was considered sufficient, and sharpened weapons presented a greater danger to their wielders and all their comrades around them than they did to the enemy. Besides, fencing taught the use of the point over the edge in close combat.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

They shouldn't have been at all! Although some swords and sabers were sharpened in the field, especially by volunteer troops who admittedly were by far the majority, that was nevertheless against regulations. The blow from a saber was considered sufficient, and sharpened weapons presented a greater danger to their wielders and all their comrades around them than they did to the enemy. Besides, fencing taught the use of the point over the edge in close combat.

Yes, I've always heard that there was a danger that a sharpened edge could cut deep and get stuck in bone, and so the trooper would be disarmed as the sword would be pulled from his hand.