EXCEEDINGLY RARE U.S. MODEL 1840 PRESENTATION ARTILLERY OFFICER’S SABER BY N.P. AMES-WITH PRE-CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION TO BVT. MAJOR GENERAL.

EXCEEDINGLY RARE U.S. MODEL 1840 PRESENTATION ARTILLERY OFFICER’S SABER BY N.P. AMES-WITH PRE-CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION TO BVT. MAJOR GENERAL. A scarce and rare Ames Artillery Officer’s sword which was presented to a prominent U.S. Regular Army Inf. officer who fought in the Mexican War and rose to the rank of Brevet Maj. Gen. during the American Civil War. The sword, made and marked by N.P. Ames conforms to the regulation except for its highly decorated gilt washed scabbard. The curved single edged blade measures 32.5” and has etched decoration covering 60% of the surface. The decoration includes a spread-winged eagle, stands of arms, floral sprays and “U.S.” Etched near the ricasso is “N.P. Ames/Cutler/Springfield”. The hilt consists of a cast brass single branch “D” guard with a floral decoration cast on the knuckle bow. The pommel has a laurel leaf decoration and the grip is of wood, covered with leather and wrapped with twisted brass wire. The scabbard is of brass, having two ring mounts, with gold wash. Engraved over the top portion spanning the two ring mounts are floral sprays. Between the mounts is a fanciful spread winged eagle in an oval panel. This engraved floral motif repeats itself at the drag. Inside a small panel at the scabbard throat is engraved “MAJr. ROBt C. BUCHANAN/U.S. ARMY”. Buchanan was born in Baltimore, MD in 1811 and graduated from West Point in July 1830. He entered his career of service in the U.S. Regular Inf. He participated in the Black Hawk Wars in 1832 and fought in the Seminole conflicts in Florida during the period 1836-38. During the Mexican War, he commanded a Battalion of MD. Vol. and fought in every major conflict of the war. He was brevetted Maj. in May 1846 for Gallantry at Palo Alto and Resaca-de-la Palma. Detailed west, he was stationed in Los Angeles at the opening of the Civil War. Traveling east on orders-from Washington, he became Lieut. Col.l of the 4th U.S. Inf. and fought at Gaines Mill and Malvern Hill. In 1862 he rose to Bvt. Col. and fought at Manassas and Antietam. For his distinguished service he was brevetted Brig. Gen. of Vol. in March 1863. Continuing to command during all the major engagements of the Army of the Potomac, he reverted to Col. to take command of the 1st U.S. Inf. in February 1864. On March 13, 1865, Buchanan was honored as Brevet Maj. Gen. of Vol. for his gallantry in action at Manassas and Fredericksburg. Following the war, he continued his service in the Regular Army until retirement in 1870. During the early Reconstruction period he was a highly successful military commander in Louisiana. He died on November 29, 1878. A superb opportunity to own a very rare sword-inscribed to one the U.S. Army’s most prominent Regular Inf. officers who rose to achieve the rank of Bvt. Maj. Gen. CONDITION: Very good. Blade has been lightly cleaned but the etched decoration remains strong and visible. Hilt is unpolished retaining a nice patina & the grip is fine. Scabbard retains about 75% of its gold wash with a couple of minor dings near the drag. Possibly re-wrapped. 4-58293 CW1 (12,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006

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
	889	$23,000.00	EXCEEDINGLY RARE U.S. MODEL 1840 PRESENTATION ARTILLERY OFFICER’S SABER BY N.P. AMES-WITH PRE-CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION TO BVT. MAJOR GENERAL. A scarce and rare Ames Artillery Officer’s sword which was presented to a prominent U.S. Regular Army Inf. officer who fought in the Mexican War and rose to the rank of Brevet Maj. Gen. during the American Civil War. The sword, made and marked by N.P. Ames conforms to the regulation except for its highly decorated gilt washed scabbard. The curved single edged blade measures 32.5” and has etched decoration covering 60% of the surface. The decoration includes a spread-winged eagle, stands of arms, floral sprays and “U.S.” Etched near the ricasso is “N.P. Ames/Cutler/Springfield”. The hilt consists of a cast brass single branch “D” guard with a floral decoration cast on the knuckle bow. The pommel has a laurel leaf decoration and the grip is of wood, covered with leather and wrapped with twisted brass wire. The scabbard is of brass, having two ring mounts, with gold wash. Engraved over the top portion spanning the two ring mounts are floral sprays. Between the mounts is a fanciful spread winged eagle in an oval panel. This engraved floral motif repeats itself at the drag. Inside a small panel at the scabbard throat is engraved “MAJr. ROBt C. BUCHANAN/U.S. ARMY”. Buchanan was born in Baltimore, MD in 1811 and graduated from West Point in July 1830. He entered his career of service in the U.S. Regular Inf. He participated in the Black Hawk Wars in 1832 and fought in the Seminole conflicts in Florida during the period 1836-38. During the Mexican War, he commanded a Battalion of MD. Vol. and fought in every major conflict of the war. He was brevetted Maj. in May 1846 for Gallantry at Palo Alto and Resaca-de-la Palma. Detailed west, he was stationed in Los Angeles at the opening of the Civil War. Traveling east on orders-from Washington, he became Lieut. Col.l of the 4th U.S. Inf. and fought at Gaines Mill and Malvern Hill. In 1862 he rose to Bvt. Col. and fought at Manassas and Antietam. For his distinguished service he was brevetted Brig. Gen. of Vol. in March 1863. Continuing to command during all the major engagements of the Army of the Potomac, he reverted to Col. to take command of the 1st U.S. Inf. in February 1864. On March 13, 1865, Buchanan was honored as Brevet Maj. Gen. of Vol. for his gallantry in action at Manassas and Fredericksburg. Following the war, he continued his service in the Regular Army until retirement in 1870. During the early Reconstruction period he was a highly successful military commander in Louisiana. He died on November 29, 1878. A superb opportunity to own a very rare sword-inscribed to one the U.S. Army’s most prominent Regular Inf. officers who rose to achieve the rank of Bvt. Maj. Gen. CONDITION: Very good. Blade has been lightly cleaned but the etched decoration remains strong and visible. Hilt is unpolished retaining a nice patina & the grip is fine. Scabbard retains about 75% of its gold wash with a couple of minor dings near the drag. Possibly re-wrapped. 4-58293 CW1 (12,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006 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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