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MODEL 1833 US ARMY DRAGOON SABER w/ SCABBARD – dtd
AMES 1837 w/ “UNITED STATES” ENGRAVED ON BLADE:
This very historic US Army Dragoon Model 1833 Saber is
highlighted by the engraved inscription on the blade
“UNITED STATES” over a floral banner, and retains a very
legible, engraved maker’s mark: “N. P. AMES, CUTLER,
SPRINGFIELD, 1837”. The engraving is still legible,
enhancing the value of this Model 1833 Saber as the
engraving on these blades was very shallow when it was
originally applied and due to wear and cleaning through
the years, the characters are often completely worn
away.
In addition to the maker’s mark, the saber has all of
the correct inspector stamps present and fully legible
on the components. The blade is inspected below the
date “JM” for Justin Murphy. The quillon disk is
inspected “TW” for Thomas Warner. And, the face of the
guard is inspected “HKC” and “ORD”, for Major Henry Knox
Craig, the final Ordnance Department Inspector who
accepted the finished saber.
The blade has an even aged patina with naturally
darkened spots along its length. In addition, there are
some isolated areas of light pitting; however the
majority of the blade surface still retains a smooth,
bright, shiny surface. The blade is full length at 34”
and has not been sharpened out of profile or shortened.
The guard has a very nice naturally aged patina, and is
full form with no misshaping or breaks. The leather
covering the grip is tight, showing surface wear to the
high points, but intact with none of the underlying wood
visible or exposed, and the wire wrap is firmly in place
and complete.
The leather washer is not
present and as a result there is a slight play between
the guard and the blade. This could be restored in a
number of different ways and I will leave that to the
next owner to determine. The guard assembly is attached
to tang with the correct, original spanner nut, and as
can be seen in the photograph, it does not appear to
have ever been removed.
The steel scabbard is not a M1833 scabbard, but rather
an early period replacement, and from the condition of
the scabbard, it appears to have been with the saber for
a very long time. It is the correct length and shape,
and the saber fits it well with a minimal amount of
play. The scabbard is a cavalry/dragoon pattern and
appears to be either a British or French pattern
scabbard from the same period. The scabbard is coated
with a black enamel japanning that is approximately 95%
intact. Both rings are present and there is no seam
separation to the scabbard. There
are a few dents as can be
seen in the photos, with a matching pair – one on each
side – midway between the two carrying rings. Given the
fragile nature of the thin steel M1833 scabbards it is
not surprising that if this saber saw any combat use at
all during its long life, the scabbard would not have
survived and the soldier would have found it necessary
to replace it.
One final note. This M1833 Dragoon Saber was found in
south east Texas with a M1840 Heavy Cavalry Sabre that
has strong indications of use by a Confederate soldier
(see the description of this M1840 in this same section
our website). It is known the Republic of Texas
purchased a number of M1833 sabers, and the M1833 was
used in Mexico and on the southwest frontier in the
1840’s and would have been in inventory in federal
military depots throughout Texas. It is entirely
possible that this M1833 saw continued use by a
Confederate soldier who either served from, or returned
after the war to, Texas, and this would explain why it
was found with the M1840 Saber mentioned above. There
is no specific evidence on, or associated with, this
1833 saber of Confederate use other than being found
with a saber that does show indications of Confederate
use, but the circumstances of its discovery are part of
the story and worthy of passing along.
This M1833 Dragoon Saber is an attractive historical
saber from the early days of the nation when the US Army
maintained a very limited mounted force, and due to
limited production and a relatively low survival rate,
examples of this saber in any condition are worthy of
consideration.
SOLD
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