Original Item: Only One Available. Now this was an incredible addition to our inventory and a rare one at that! What we are offering here is an excellent example of the US Cavalry’s first standard issued saber, the model 1833. This saber is dated 1836 and was produced by the legendary N.P. Ames Cutler of Springfield in 1836 during the “Frontier Wars”, also known as the Indian Wars.

In 1833, the U.S. Army formed its first official mounted regiments, the First and Second Dragoons. These soldiers rode into battle, then dismounted to fight, the beginning of the United States Cavalry. Until then the only mounted units available to the nation were state and local mounted militia, often equipped with surplus older-model sabers, as per the 1808 “Act for Arming and Equipping the Whole Body of the Militia of the United States.” The blades, largely from government stores, including 20,000 Nathan Starr sabers contracted between 1812 and 1818 (with final delivery made in 1822), served as American horse soldiers’ primary weapons for decades.

From 1834 through 1839, the government contracted with the N.P. Ames company for 6,100 model 1833 Dragoon sabers, which were based on the Pattern 1822 British Officers’ Light Cavalry Saber. Soon after the sabers were issued, American soldiers complained that the weapon was altogether too light, and that the blade itself was not suitable for a good thrust. Further, the scabbard was prone to being dented or bent, all legitimate grievances for men whose lives depended on the weapons.

Sometime during its short production life, Ames increased the 1833 Dragoon sabers’ weight from 13½ ounces to 19½ ounces, while the blade’s 34-inch length was not changed in any way, the scabbard was lengthened from 35 inches to 36 inches. This blade is almost exactly 34” in length while the scabbard is 35” and is one of the earlier produced ones.

While not as durable as desired, the 1833 Dragoon saber was expertly finished with a gleaming brass hilt with a knuckle bow and two-branch guard, and a pommel topped with a recessed slotted nut that facilitated replacement of broken blades in the field, all of which is present and correct on this example. The handles on enlisted sabers were wrapped in black leather with seven rows of twisted brass-wire wrapping which is no longer present unfortunately on this handle. The leather wrap is still present on the handle but is now worn to an almost brown color.

Blades were etched “N.P. AMES, CUTLER, SPRINGFIELD,” along with the date of manufacture, ranging from as early as 1834 to as late as 1840. The etching on the ricasso is still present and able to be read properly with a date of 1836. The opposite side of the blade has a lovely script etching that reads as United States. The U.S. sub inspector’s initials were stamped on the blade at the ricasso (just under the guard), and frequently with the addition of the stamp “ORD,” for Ordnance Department, on the saber hilt and scabbard drag. This example however does have an inspector’s stamp present just above the blade buffer but due to many years of oxidation, it is no longer able to be read properly. The blade is still surprisingly bright with scattered areas of staining and peppering. The overall condition of the saber is really nice with the only “real issues” being the hilt having some play in it and the expected nicks in the blade’s edge, both of which do not subtract from the beauty of this weapon.

The scabbard is steel and made with a flared trumpet- style throat, narrow saber strap ring bands that are split, much like a modern key ring. Both of the split rings are still present, and that in itself is a rarity as these scabbards are usually found without any rings present. The scabbard does have the notorious heavy bends and dents present, neither of which impedes the saber from being sheathed. The finish is almost completely gone and the color now presents itself as being a darkened brown with surface oxidation as well as past pitting. There is some loss of material in the grip but nothing serious.

This is an incredible, rare example of the US Cavalry’s first official saber! Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 34"
Overall length: 39½“
Scabbard Length: 35"