Original U.S. Model 1906 Light Cavalry Saber with Scabbard by Ames Sword Company - Dated 1906

Original Item: Only One Available. The M-1906 U.S. Cavalry saber is almost exactly like its forefather, the M-1860 Cavalry Saber, used throughout the Civil War and on America's frontier during the Indian Wars. It was the last curved saber model produced for Cavalry, as with the evolution of vehicular transport, horses were to become a thing of the past militarily after WWI. A straight Cavalry Sword, known as the "Patton" sword was introduced in 1913 but this new style, frankly, lost all the magic of the original curved blade design.

The M-1906 differed from the M-1860 in that the hilt was made from steel and not brass, otherwise they are nearly identical. This was the saber used in the Mexican Border Wars that lasted on and off from 1910 until 1919, during which the Mexican Rebel Leader Pancho Villa actually invaded the U.S. and attacked a U.S. Army Post in Columbus, New Mexico. Thereafter the U.S. Government took a sterner hand and sent Pershing in short order to settle the business once and for all.

The sword comes complete with the original all steel scabbard. The blade bears manufacturers markings on the ricasso:

A.S.Co
(Flaming Bomb)
1906

A. S. Co. is the abbreviation for Ames Sword Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts,
one of the largest independent producers of swords for the U.S. Military since the Civil War. They had made large numbers of the model 1860 Cavalry Saber. The reverse ricasso is marked U.S / J.C., for the inspector at Ames at that time.

The blade on this example is in good condition, with a gorgeous overall patina, with some small dents and nicks in the edge. These blades were seldom used in actual combat, and were almost ceremonial, even right after they were approved. There is heavy oxidation in spots on the blade, but nothing terribly serious. The hilt has a nice dull steel patina, unfortunately covered with areas of rust peppering. The leather grip is in fair shape, with some heavy cracking and surface loss, but it still has the original wire wrapping. Some of the leather has flaked off of the grip, but it does not detract much overall from the piece.

The scabbard is in fair shape, with some dents and slight bending we can see, and an oxidized patina. There is some more advanced rust and past pitting in areas, but it definitely did a good job of keeping the blade well protected from the elements. There appears to be a minor seam split at the throat of the scabbard, but it does appear to be very small.

In lovely condition ready to display, a cavalry saber from the Mexican Border War Era!

Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 35"
Blade Style: Single Edged Curved Saber with double Fullers
Overall length: 40 3/4“
Basket dimensions: 5" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 36 1/2”