This is a Model 1860 cavalry Officers Saber manufactured by the Ames Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts. The sword is identified to Ferris Jacobs Jr. of the 3rd and 26th new York Cavalry Regiments. Jacobs was born 20 March, 1836 in Delhi, New York. He was commissioned 22 August, 1861 as a Captain and was given command of E Company, 3rd New York Cavalry. They played a major role in Burnside's North Carolina campaign during 1862-1863, taking part in 35 separate engagements. Jacobs went on to be promoted to Major on 12 June, 1863. On 18 June 1864 he was again promoted, to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. LTC Jacobs mustered out of the 3rd New York Cavalry, and mustered in to the 26th New York Cavalry as a Lieutenant Colonel on 1 March, 1865. He was brevetted to the rank of Brigadier General of volunteers 13 March, 1865. Jacobs survived the war and returned to his law practice in Delhi, New York. He served as the district attorney in 1865 and 1866. In 1880 Jacobs was a delegate to the Republican National Convention. He was elected as a republican to serve on the 47th Congress from 4 March - 3 March 1883. Ferris Jacobs Jr. resumed practicing law in White Plains, New York, where he died 30 August, 1886. He is buried in Woodland Cemetery in Delhi, New York. Jacob's saber is a very rare Ames Model 1860 Cavalry Officer's Saber. Union officers were required to purchase their own uniforms and equipment. The 1861 Army Regulations stated that the saber and scabbard "now in use, according to pattern in the Ordnance Department" was prescribed. Ames made an officer's version of the enlisted saber available on the open market. These private purchase sabers have no US stamps or inspector stamps on them. John Tillmann's book "Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers" discusses these sabers on pages 86 - 93, and calls the Ames Model 1860 Cavalry Officer's Saber "among the rarest of the Ames post 1840 sabers". The saber has an overall length of 40 3/4", with a blade length of 34 3/4". The bright finished blade is 1 1/4" wide, has a 3/8" spine, a wide fuller 27 3/4" long and a narrow 18" long fuller. The obverse side of the blade has no stamps on the ricasso. The blade is etched with foliate, shield, cannon, flag with staff, a military eagle, scroll with E Pluribus Enum, and more foliate with flower. The reverse ricasso is stamped AMES MFg. Co/CHICOPEE, in an arc over MASS. This side of the blade is etched with a shield and horn, flag with staff, foliate, US, cannon, more flags with staffs, and more foliate with flowers. The bright finish of the blade has very minimal freckling. The edge is free of any nicks or damage of any kind. The hilt has a beautiful golden patina over the entire surface. The outside of the branches have laurel leafs and berries engraved on them. The quillon has a spread winged eagle with upswept wing tips. The eagle clutches arrows in it's talons. The eagle's feathers are finely engraved. The background of the quillion is stippled, making the eagle really stand out! The inside of the guard have foliate designs. The same is true where the knucklebow goes into the pommel cap. The cap itself has more laurel leafs engraved into the forward edge. The peen is undisturbed. The only flaw on the entire sword is the leather washer missing. The blade is tight to the grip, no blade deflection at all. The grip is wrapped in sharkskin and is completely intact. The double strand brass wire is tight to the grip, 11 wraps on the obverse side and 12 on the reverse. A period sword knot is still attached to the guard. The scabbard is steel with narrow brass mounts and a brass throat. The throat insert is a replacement, but the mounts, rings and drag are original to the scabbard. Originally the steel body of the scabbard was blued. At some point this one has been nickel plated. Some of the plating has flaked off, revealing the original bluing. The throat, mounts and drag are retained by brass screws. The upper mount retention screw is broken, as well as two of the drag screws. The brass on the scabbard has the same rich golden patina as the hilt. The rings and mounts show modest wear. I have a feeling this might have been Brigadier General Jacob's "special occasion" saber. Last but not least, this saber comes with a doeskin sleeve! A booklet comes with this rare and beautiful Ames Officer's saber. Pictures in the booklet show writing on the sleeve that link it with this saber. This one will look great in a Union Cavalry collection, and if you collect 3rd or 26th New York Cavalry then this one is a must!

Item # AA1148

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