A New Find: A Clean 1833 Ames Dragoon Saber

[Dirk]

I thought I would share my latest find with you all: an enlisted model 1833 Dragoon Saber. This saber, based upon a similar 1822 British Cavalry saber while not rare, is much harder to find then the more common 1840 and 1860 models of Mexican-Civil War vintage. Roughly 6,100 of these 1833s were produced by N.P. Ames for regular army and militia units. As one of Ames first attempts at large scale sword production, this saber must rank as a failure. Poorly balanced, its blade subject to breaking or bending during use and a scabbard that seems to dent by just looking at it, was only in production from 1833 through 1839. Despite it's limitations, thanks to several excellent recent research books, show prices for these sabers on the east coast now can run as high as $2,000-3,000 for well marked mint examples.....well beyond my price range. Until I found this little specimen I had given up hope of owing a clean example. Although found damaged and worn, but priced well due to a poor economy I bought it for a fraction of the cost of a mint example. Initially, I got it for it's scabbard so I could marry it with a cleaner scabbard-less example I already have. But with a nice blade, well stamped and clear inscriptions I just couldn't bring myself to separate the two....so despite its damage I sent it off to a professional restorer who did a great job bringing it back to life.......

[Dirk]

Of all the variations of this saber I think this one is one of the more common. The brass hilt is marked "HKC" (For inspector Maj Henry Knox Craig) and ORD for the Ordnance Department. The grip is carved wood with a leather grip and a distinctive brass wire wrap. Those marked for North/South Carolina, Mass or even PA are far more rare.

[Dirk]

.

[Dirk]

The Quillon is marked ""TW" (sub inspector Thomas Warner)".

[Dirk]

The blade is 34 inches in length and dry needle etched on one side "United States" (another rarer version is marked "United States Dragoons") with a floral scroll. Without major dents, dings and pitting I think the blade is rather clean.

[Dirk]

Ames chose to dry needle etch his markers mark on the ricasso as such:

 

N.P. Ames

Cutler

Springfield

1837

 

This etching style, since it sits so shallowly on the blade, is prone to fade far more quickly through normal wear than his stamped address marks as found on the 1840s. In fact this style of etching fades even more quickly than his lightly stamped 1860 sabers and so when found the makers mark is many times unreadable.

[Dirk]

Since the scabbards dented so easily, not many seemed to have survived and were discarded for replacement scabbards. More often than not you find the sword without scabbard at shows. For me this scabbard was the selling point in picking this baby up. Ames changed the length of the scabbard at some point during its manufacturing run.....this version is the earlier one being 35 3/8" in length. The later version was 36". Note the scabbard's trumpet style throat

[Dirk]

Narrow ring bands....all these scabbards had thin split rings unlike later Ames products which had solid scabbard rings.

[Dirk]

The drag which has some nice wear is marked "VS" (US) on the obverse and is marked "ORD" on the reverse.

[Dirk]

Overall, I am very satisfied I finally have a nice complete 1833 to display along side my later sabers. Next I think should come either a Rose or Starr contract saber. If anyone else has a 1833 I would love to see it posted here, just to compare it to. Here it is with the more common 1860 Light Cavalry Saber. Enjoy.

[Spathologist]

Very nice find! I'm also casually looking for a nice M1833, but other stuff keeps coming up.

 

Congrats on the saber!

[SARGE]

Dirk,

 

A very decent example of the 1933 Dragoon Sabre. :thumbsup:

 

These are very difficult to find in nice condition and the scabbard is a goodie as you mention. These swords have been reproduced and one has to be careful of them but it is nice to see that a nicely conditioned original like yours can still be found at a reasonable price.

[Dirk]

Thanks guys! For several years I informally looked for one I could afford and this one just happened to come along at the right time at a show where there was nothing else calling me. A keeper!

[noworky]

Dirk that's a fine looking 1833 saber I also hope to add one to my collection sometime, like Varangian said other items keep jumping out at me and I can't help myself!!

[bobgee]

Dirk - Don't know a whole lot about U.S. edged weapons but this is obviously a fine piece! Congrats! Bob