UNIQUE & EXTREMELY FINE SPECIAL ORDER AMES MODEL 1833 DRAGOON OFFICER’S SWORD.

This sword is fresh & new to market & nothing like it has ever been seen. Regulation quill-back blade, which measures almost 34″, has 19″ frosty bright etched patriotic panels with central panel “UNITED STATES DRAGOONS”. Etched eagles on either side of blade below arcs of 13 stars with ribbons one reading “E PLURIBUS UNUM” & the other “LIBERTY”. The unique scabbard has long thin brass veneered scalloped plates inset at both sword mounts & drag. The hilt & scabbard are both government inspected by Henry Knox Craig, “HKC” with sub-inspector mark of William Smith, “WS”. According to the definitive 2001 text Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers, A Study of United States Cavalry & Artillery Sabers, 1833-1865 by John Thillman “It is not known how many dragoon officers’ sabers were made by Ames & shipped to regular officers at their stations throughout the country”. Surviving examples of the dragoon officers’ saber are so few that it is difficult to examine a representative number and draw empirical conclusions. These swords are scarce; low production coupled with service losses in two wars and on the frontier explain their appeal. The examples best speak for themselves.” Dragoon officers sabers typically have shark skin wrapped grips in lieu of leather found on enlisted sabers & this unique example. Non-commissioned officers were issued enlisted swords & no doubt several who were promoted found their 2nd lieutenant’s pay grade possibly insufficient to pay the $20 Ames was charging for officers saber in 1835. Most likely this sword was returned to Ames to have the regulation officer’s blade added along with the unique brass veneered embellishment & wood lining to protect etching as found on other officer’s sabers & not on enlisted sabers. There are probably not 10 regulation dragoon officers sabers known as no more then 34 officers were in the 1st United States Dragoons when contract for this pattern sword was originated in 1834. The sword most likely was originally made in 1837 as the date of the inspector Maj. Henry Knox Craig ended that year when sub-inspector William Smith was first noted. If this sword could only tell us its history, what would it be? CONDITION: Fine to very fine overall. Blade retains much of its orig frost & luster with several nicks in cutting edge & old sharpening at tip. Scabbard is sound & solid retaining thinning orig red lacquer to iron body. Brass veneered mounts retain traces of gold-colored wash in protected areas at rings & have a mottled light mustard/reddish patina. Brass hilt has similar patina with traces of thin gold-colored wash in protected areas. Grip retains most all of its orig leather with brown polish with scuffs & small reductions at high areas. Finely twisted orig wire wrap is intact. Scabbard internally is missing 1 internal wood shim other then its base, the other is intact. 50194-3 JS (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2232

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Auction: Firearms - March 2016

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2232	$0.00	UNIQUE & EXTREMELY FINE SPECIAL ORDER AMES MODEL 1833 DRAGOON OFFICER’S SWORD. This sword is fresh & new to market & nothing like it has ever been seen. Regulation quill-back blade, which measures almost 34″, has 19″ frosty bright etched patriotic panels with central panel “UNITED STATES DRAGOONS”. Etched eagles on either side of blade below arcs of 13 stars with ribbons one reading “E PLURIBUS UNUM” & the other “LIBERTY”. The unique scabbard has long thin brass veneered scalloped plates inset at both sword mounts & drag. The hilt & scabbard are both government inspected by Henry Knox Craig, “HKC” with sub-inspector mark of William Smith, “WS”. According to the definitive 2001 text Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers, A Study of United States Cavalry & Artillery Sabers, 1833-1865 by John Thillman “It is not known how many dragoon officers’ sabers were made by Ames & shipped to regular officers at their stations throughout the country”. Surviving examples of the dragoon officers’ saber are so few that it is difficult to examine a representative number and draw empirical conclusions. These swords are scarce; low production coupled with service losses in two wars and on the frontier explain their appeal. The examples best speak for themselves.” Dragoon officers sabers typically have shark skin wrapped grips in lieu of leather found on enlisted sabers & this unique example. Non-commissioned officers were issued enlisted swords & no doubt several who were promoted found their 2nd lieutenant’s pay grade possibly insufficient to pay the $20 Ames was charging for officers saber in 1835. Most likely this sword was returned to Ames to have the regulation officer’s blade added along with the unique brass veneered embellishment & wood lining to protect etching as found on other officer’s sabers & not on enlisted sabers. There are probably not 10 regulation dragoon officers sabers known as no more then 34 officers were in the 1st United States Dragoons when contract for this pattern sword was originated in 1834. The sword most likely was originally made in 1837 as the date of the inspector Maj. Henry Knox Craig ended that year when sub-inspector William Smith was first noted. If this sword could only tell us its history, what would it be? CONDITION: Fine to very fine overall. Blade retains much of its orig frost & luster with several nicks in cutting edge & old sharpening at tip. Scabbard is sound & solid retaining thinning orig red lacquer to iron body. Brass veneered mounts retain traces of gold-colored wash in protected areas at rings & have a mottled light mustard/reddish patina. Brass hilt has similar patina with traces of thin gold-colored wash in protected areas. Grip retains most all of its orig leather with brown polish with scuffs & small reductions at high areas. Finely twisted orig wire wrap is intact. Scabbard internally is missing 1 internal wood shim other then its base, the other is intact. 50194-3 JS (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2232 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2016 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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UNIQUE & EXTREMELY FINE SPECIAL ORDER AMES MODEL 1833 DRAGOON OFFICER’S SWORD.