Way out of my wheelhouse . Is It period original ? Thanks

Sorry about the tiny pictures , thats how they copied . Heres the link :

 

https://jjmilitary.com/product/ames-1847-dated-heavy-cavalry-saber-w-s/

Yes it is original. Nice example in my opinion. 

Not my speciality but looks 100% to me as well. Nice original sword.

Mine does not appear to have the manufacturers mark, not even a faint shadow. Iron bender, have you seen any like this? D guard & scabbard drag both have ADK inspectors stamps.

 

Thanks 

I'm no sword guy but I do have a few 40 examples, and believe I have one identical to yours. I'll have to get them out and look

Not only does it appear genuine but it’s a rare Mexican American War example.

So I’ve got one completely unmarked example (French?German?) import? And a 51 date Cabotville, ie I don’t have one as above 

It’s my understanding that the undated unmarked M1840 sabers were early Civil War European contract production, 1861-62. This was done on purpose but I don’t know the reason for it. Many thousands were bought until large volume domestic manufacturing got up and running.  Mine is one of these sabers.
mikie

6 hours ago, ScottN said:

Not my speciality but looks 100% to me as well. Nice original sword.

Mine does not appear to have the manufacturers mark, not even a faint shadow. Iron bender, have you seen any like this? D guard & scabbard drag both have ADK inspectors stamps.

 

Thanks 

Not sure who made your saber but I see a couple things that would indicate it wasn't made by Ames. The Ames saber is typically stamped with the US and the inspector initials on one side, and the date is found on the other side below the Ames address. Ames scabbards have no screws or rivets at the throat, but in the photo yours appears to have a screw on the side we can see. Not positive what all this means, and don't know if ADK did inspections on sabers other than those made by Ames. I'm not am an expert on evaluating the grips by photos, but on an Ames grip the grooves in which the wire is wrapped is formed by actual grooves being carved into the wooden grip. On a German import the grooves were formed by wrapping cord over a smooth piece of wood, the space between the cord forming the groove where the wire went. Not sure if there are any worn areas where you can verify what you have as it may help identify. Very interesting. 

On 7/1/2025 at 10:36 AM, Father V said:

Not only does it appear genuine but it’s a rare Mexican American War example.

Don't know that I would call an 1847 saber rare. 

 

Out of 13 years of deliveries, 1847 is #3 for number of sabers delivered.

On 7/1/2025 at 8:18 AM, ScottN said:

Mine does not appear to have the manufacturers mark, not even a faint shadow. Iron bender, have you seen any like this? D guard & scabbard drag both have ADK inspectors stamps.

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the saber is period.

 

The markings?  Not so much.

Soooo you suspect the markings are fake? Interesting. I’d hate to think I was taken advantage of a couple decades ago for $200. I know little about swords & this was my first purchase. Thanks for your input. 
S

2 hours ago, ScottN said:

Soooo you suspect the markings are fake? Interesting. I’d hate to think I was taken advantage of a couple decades ago for $200. I know little about swords & this was my first purchase. Thanks for your input. 
S

Unfortunately I think that is quite possible. On the original Ames sabers the inspector initials were stamped on the pommel cap, not the knucklebow. Are there any markings on the pommel cap? It looks like the "U S" on your saber, as well as the ADK in the blade, were stamped with individual letters instead of using a single die for each. And the more I look at your hilt it looks like it may be the cord wrapped hilt of an import. But again, just my thoughts at this time without holding it in my hands. Still a nice period saber, even though someone may have tried to "enhance" it.

The closer I look at it I have to agree with you. I can see the US is a different font as well...no serifs on letters. Also not as "thick". The ADK on scabbard is different than those on the guard. Not being a sword collector and wanting a Civil War "representational" piece many years ago this was a good find. I never compared the markings to my 1860 cavalry which I picked up a few years later either. Well, that's what is great about this forum, you learn new things every day. Of course now I want to get rid of the sword and will have to state it's markings are "questionable".

Thanks again for your help with this. 

 

S

ScottN still a nice original 40. Google House of Swords..... I've still got this gem in my collection...

 

1840 NCO engraved sword opinions - (1861-1865) AMERICAN CIVIL WAR - The War Between the States - U.S. Militaria Forum

All I can say is WOW!!! House of Swords sure has an "interesting" history as well as conclusion. Thanks

@Spathologist Ames 1847 sabers available for purchase right now in 2025 aren’t particularly abundant. I do a lot of checking of sites and auctions, but I’ll also admit I’m not particularly interested in this model. I was doing research on the Montmorency type blade in the US and so was looking far and wide for examples of the original run. I’ll grant you that the initial order S&K 1840 sabers are far more rare.