M 1860 Cavalry Saber

[Andrew007]

Other than this being an M 1860 Cavalry Saber, I believe of the Ames variety, is there anything else anyone can tell me about this piece from these photos?

There are no identifiable demarcations that can clearly be read on the handle.

 

[UCVRelics]

Could you post photos of the Ames marking on the blade up near the guard and also look on the pommel cap and see if there are any initials. There also may be initials and the scabbard drag.

 

[bobinwmass]

From the bend in the outer guard, looks like the guy could have taken a fall from his horse while holding the saber (though it also could have happened many other ways during or after the war).

 

[UCVRelics]

From the bend in the outer guard, looks like the guy could have taken a fall from his horse while holding the saber (though it also could have happened many other ways during or after the war).

That is what we call the cavalry mans bend in the collecting world.

Cavalry Swords And The Trooper Bend, What Do You Think???? | Edged Weapons

Over the years I have owned many CW swords both CS & US. I always love the ones with the guard bend as that tells me they were issued and used by a cav trooper. Now to the question, Why the bend? Some say it was to keep the trooper from being poked by the guard but the one that makes the most...

civilwartalk.com

 

[bobinwmass]

That is what we call the cavalry mans bend in the collecting world.

Cavalry Swords And The Trooper Bend, What Do You Think???? | Edged Weapons

Over the years I have owned many CW swords both CS & US. I always love the ones with the guard bend as that tells me they were issued and used by a cav trooper. Now to the question, Why the bend? Some say it was to keep the trooper from being poked by the guard but the one that makes the most...

civilwartalk.com

I should have been more specific, I was referring to the distortion in the outer branch.

 

[UCVRelics]

I should have been more specific, I was referring to the distortion in the outer branch.

Now he knows what the other bend is.

 

[Andrew007]

Could you post photos of the Ames marking on the blade up near the guard and also look on the pommel cap and see if there are any initials. There also may be initials and the scabbard drag.

Sorry for the delay but life got in the way !!

The only markings I could locate are these.

 

[Andrew007]

After doing some research I believe the GWC may be the Ames inspectors mark for George W. Chapin

 

[JOHN42768]

G.W.C. is George W. Chapman. You have it as Chapin

 

[Andrew007]

Could you post photos of the Ames marking on the blade up near the guard and also look on the pommel cap and see if there are any initials. There also may be initials and the scabbard drag.

I can't quite make out the lettering above the year. 1865.

 

[JOHN42768]

J.C.W. for James C. Watson

 

[Andrew007]

J.C.W. for James C. Watson

Do you know what his role was? It's different than the name on the swords pommel.

 

[UCVRelics]

Do you know what his role was? It's different than the name on the swords pommel.

He was an inspector as was the guy with the pommel initials.

 

[JOHN42768]

Do you know what his role was? It's different than the name on the swords pommel.

Both inspectors as ucvrelics stated

 

[James N.]

Do you know what his role was? It's different than the name on the swords pommel.

To elaborate a bit, the various pieces - like the pommel cap and the blade - were inspected BEFORE the swords were assembled; only upon final inspection and acceptance was the blade stamped US and dated. That's why there can be several different sets of inspector's initials.