SOLD - US 1840 Cavalry Saber

Description

4/30/26- For sale is a US 1840 cavalry saber. Known as the "Wristbreaker" because of its size and weight, the blade measures over 35 inches long and weighs almost 3 pounds, relatively heavy for a sword. There is light wear and patina on the blade but no serious damage or blade chipping. The blade is clearly stamped "US A.D.K." on one side and "Ames Mfg. Co. Cabotville 1851" on the other side. The scabbard has mild patina and finish loss but no rust or serious damage. Overall in very good condition.

The previous owner has provided the following information:

AMES CO. M1840 ENLISTED MANS DRAGOON/HEAVY CAVALRY SABER

In 1851 AMES produced only 2,550 M1840’S.

The example here is among the finest of the 1851 Ames manufactured M1840’s left.

This AMES CO. M1840 Saber is original and tight in all.  Fabulous grip and wire, superb tight & bright blade, ricasso, guard & pommel. Excellent fitting to the scabbard

The Blade shows near mint, no nicks or signs of sharpening, straight, true and firm in all, simply showing standard blade drawing & insertion to scabbard, only light patina areas & well defined Makers Data & Inspectors stampings. This M1840 was lovingly cared for over many generations.

The Scabbard: Features the standard finish of polished steel, that over time ages to a bright, mottled, or dark grey/plum patina. There are no dents - the saber to scabbard fit is perfect. Only a minute amount of pitting found on the drag.

The correct 1851 mfg. Inspector Markings of: “A.D.K.” (Andrew D. King) & "JWR" (James Wolfe Ripley): are easily located and visible.

Inspector: Stamped "US / A.D.K." on the obverse ricasso. Andrew D. King inspected for the Ordnance Dept. from 1840–1865. Also found on the scabbard drag & on the pommel.

Inspector: JWR (James Wolfe Ripley): A high-level ordinance officer (later Chief of Ordnance) whose "JWR" mark served as the final acceptance stamp for many pre-Civil War Ames contracts between 1843 and 1855.

The guard: shows no sign of polishing, and is pristine with the right patina.

Original washer firm & in place.

The Grip & Wire: The original leather is excellent. The 18 grooves of wire wrap are tight and firm.

Key Features of the 1851 Ames M1840 Saber: This example has the correct double stamps.

Authenticity Indicator: Finding both stamps on the pommel is a "textbook" feature for Ames M1840 sabers from the late 1840s to early 1850s. It indicates the weapon passed both a sub-inspection (ADK) and a final inspection (JWR).

Manufacturer/Date: Stamped "AMES MFG CO / CABOTVILLE / 1851" on the reverse ricasso.

Blade: Typically, a 36-inch (or 35 7/8 inch) curved steel blade with a flat back, a wide, shallow fuller, and a narrow, deep fuller.

Hilt: Three-branch brass hilt, brass pommel cap, with leather-wrapped grip and twisted wire.

Scabbard: Iron, often with iron mounts, usually without screws at the throat. 

Condition and Value Notes:

Condition: "excellent" & “superb” examples are highly prized. Desirable features include a bright blade with a light patina, intact original leather washer, and perfect leather and wire wrap on the grip.

Expert Verification Tips:

Font Style: Genuine Ames/JWR markings from this era typically feature block-style letters. Replicas or parts from other makers may use rounded or different fonts.

Matching Marks: A "superb" specimen, the ADK mark should ideally be visible in three locations: the blade ricasso, the pommel, and the scabbard drag.

Rarity vs. Condition: While the stamps themselves are common for this model, finding them in superb condition is much rarer. Many surviving "Wrist breakers" saw heavy use in the Mexican-American War or the Civil War, leading to worn grips or faint markings.

Production Volume: For the 1851 contract specifically, Ames delivered approximately 2,550 of these sabers. (1858 being the lowest production year with only 500 examples made).

Value Breakdown by Condition:

Because these swords were produced over a decade before the Civil War and often saw extensive service, condition is the primary driver of price: Superb/Fine Condition.