It's not like I really needed another one of these, but I do collect National Lancer items, and I have never before seen one of their sabers with the early 1834 date.  In the photos below, the saber on top is a saber I have had for many years.  The saber on the bottom is the one I just picked up. The National Lancers of Boston were organized in late 1836.  The state of Massachusetts purchased Ames Model 1833 sabers with special order brass scabbards to arm the 64 members of the troop. Since this purchase did not involve sabers that were part of a Federal contract, the sabers have no Federal inspector or Ordnance Department markings, just "MS" markings stamped on the quillon showing ownership by the state of Massachusetts.   I figure that since the troop only numbered 64 men, even if the state purchased a few extras, there are likely no more than 70 that were involved in this purchase, making them relatively scarce and a bit pricey when they do show up. Most of these sabers that I have seen (and that is only a handful) have been dated 1835.  The 1834 date, and the fact that the fragile brass scabbard appears to be in better condition than my first saber (with the exception of missing one screw at the throat) are the primary reasons I decided to get this one.  It is interesting to note that while the brass scabbards were made especially for the National Lancers, it is obvious that the saber blades were not.  As I already mentioned, the National Lancers were organized in 1836.  The dates on the blades are typically dated 1835, and in the case of this second saber, 1834.  This means the blades were made at least one or two years before the idea of forming the National Lancers was even considered.  The blades are dry needle etched "United States Dragoons", indicating they were likely made for Ames's first contract to arm the United States regiment of Dragoons. Since the blades lack any Federal inspector initials, they were never inspected or accepted for this contract.  I don't know if this is because Ames had made extra blades, or if these are blades that did not pass Federal inspection, but it apparent that these sabers were made with leftover blades.  Beginning in 1835, sabers that were made to arm the militia of the various states were simply marked with the more common "United States" markings (though does Thillmann report one saber with an 1839 date that is marked Dragoons). The blades of both of my sabers remain in pretty nice condition. Again, there are no inspector or Ordnance markings on the scabbard drags. The Ames maker marker and date are more easily seen on my 1835 dated saber. N.P Ames Cutler Springfield 1835. The lettering on the 1834 dated saber if more worn, but the "4" can be seen.  Since the blade is missing the blade washer, someone along the way drove an old nail between the blade and hilt to hold the blade steady. The hilt of my 1835 dated saber is in very nice condition.  It retains almost all of its original leather and original dragoon wire. While the 1834 saber has its original dragoon wire, the thin leather covering is worn through all the way down to the wood on some of the hilt. The dry needle etching on these blades is very lightly done and was easily worn away during use.  The etching on the 1835 dated saber is in very nice condition for and the rare "United States Dragoons" markings can be easily seen. The 1834 dated saber has much more wear on the etching.  Most of "United" can be seen, but only part of the "S" in States and part of the "g" in Dragoons can be seen. Hope you enjoyed looking at the photos of these rare sabers.

Recently got this one. I have no idea what era though.

This is just my guess.   Please check the opinions of other members to be sure.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koryūsai

This thread inspired me to get off my butt and go hit the local town wide garage sale this morning & really put the effort in.  Well, it started off slow but in the end I was able to connect with a local naval aviator who was kind of enough to let me to become the caretaker of his leather flight jacket & painted flight helmet.   My all-time favorite garage sailing find.   Thanks for the inspiration manayunkman!  

Greetings! Im the Senior Instructor at Doherty High School Navy JROTC in Colorado Springs. My 16th year! We are preserving naval history by placing on permanent display navy brass plaques from all classes of ships. We have 130 up and 75 more waiting to be displayed. Ive personslly purchased these off Ebay. Over 7000 in personal funds in a year!  Im always looking for donations! Enjoy the pictures CAPT Greg Thomas USN ( Ret)

They always seem to show up by surprise. This was in a recent lot. Nice WW1 US collar disc. My first encounter of the sweetheart discs. 

Greetings! Im the Senior Instructor at Doherty High School Navy JROTC in Colorado Springs. My 16th year! We are preserving naval history by placing on permanent display navy brass plaques from all classes of ships. We have 130 up and 75 more waiting to be displayed. Ive personslly purchased these off Ebay. Over 7000 in personal funds in a year!  Im always looking for donations! Enjoy the pictures CAPT Greg Thomas USN ( Ret)

Greetings.  Great info on Daniel T Griffin. Bridge being named in his honor in Colorado Springs.  Ironic!!! Bridge leads to Air Force Academy!!

. Hi Johan,   Out of ' likes ', we all use them up so quickly,  Look forward to seeing you here again next year. Right I can hear my bed calling, more tomorrow.    Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 12  2O25.    ….  

. Hi Flibble,   Photo I grabbed for you at the museum        Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 12  2O25.    …. ….