Rare U.S. Model 1833 Dragoon Enlisted Man's Saber for the Republic of Texas,
Nathaniel P. Ames, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1839.
Brass hilt, the down turned quillon marked 'WS' for Springfield Arsenal sub-inspector William Smith, two branches on the knuckle bow with slot at the top connecting to a stepped pommel with back strap, brown leather covered grip with twisted brass wire wrapping; curved single-edge blade with false edge at the tip and pipe back, the right side with faint etching near the hilt 'N.P. Ames/Cutler/Springfield/1839' and stamped with 'WS' inspector's mark, the left side of the blade etched 'Texas Dragoons,' with leather washer at top of blade; iron scabbard with two suspension rings (one ring being a split ring), the drag stamped on the right side with inspector's mark 'WS,' the other side stamped 'ORD.'
Blade lg. 34, overall lg. 39 3/8 in.
Footnotes:
Note
The Republic of Texas ordered 280 Model 1833 Dragoon sabers in 1839. All were inspected and approved by United States Inspector of Arms, William Smith, on January 22, 1840.

Brass hilt toned to dark yellow and with minor dings and dents, leather grip is has a few small surface losses and some cracking below the pommel, hilt is solid on the blade tang; blade is toned to light gray and has a few shallow nicks on the edge, Ames mark is very weak, Texas mark is strong; scabbard toned to deep brown with oxidation toward the tip, crease at the center on both sides, one or both rings may be old replacements.