View source for Model 1840 light artillery saber

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Model 1840 light artillery saber
| image              = 
| image_size         = 
| alt                =
| caption            = 
| type               = [[Saber]]
| origin             = [[United States of America]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = 
| is_bladed          = Yes
| is_explosive       = 
| is_artillery       = 
| is_vehicle         = 
| is_missile         = 
| is_UK              = 
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 
| used_by            = [[United States Army]]
| wars               = 
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = [[Ames Manufacturing Company]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 
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<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| mass               = 
| length             = {{cvt|42|in|cm}}
| part_length        = {{cvt|32.25|in|cm}}
| width              = 
| height             = 
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| crew               = 
| passengers         =
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> 
| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = 
| caliber            = 
| barrels            = 
| action             = 
| rate               = 123 rounds/min
| velocity           = {{cvt|123|m/s|ft/s}}
| range              = {{cvt|123|m|yd}}
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 
| sights             = 
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = 
| recoil             = 
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = 
| traverse           = 
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications --> 
| blade_type         = Curved, single-edged
| hilt_type          = Brass
| sheath_type        = Iron
| head_type          = 
| haft_type          = 
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| filling_weight     = 
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| wingspan           = 
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<!-- For all -->
| ref                = <small></small>
}}
The '''Model 1840 light artillery saber''' was a [[sabre|saber]] of about 42 inches in length with a curved, single-edged [[blade]] and [[iron]] [[scabbard]].

== History ==

The U.S. Model 1840 light artillery [[saber]] has a [[brass]] [[hilt]] and knuckle-bow of about 6 inches in length, the grip wrapped in leather and bound with [[brass]] wire, and a [[blade]] of 32.25 inches in length.  Unlike the [[Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber]] the artillery model has no basket.

This model was one of the many weapons produced by the [[Ames Manufacturing Company]]. of [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]] (later [[Chicopee, Massachusetts|Chicopee]]), [[Massachusetts]].  The design appears to be a copy of the French saber style of 1829.  The mounted artillery units accompanied [[dragoons]] to provide them with more firepower.  The primary weapon of the mounted artillery were their cannons.  The saber was more a traditional accoutrement than a combat weapon.  The fact that Ames manufactured far fewer 1840 light artillery sabers than the number of soldiers in the artillery branch attests to this.

== Distinguishing features ==

This saber has a flat, brass handle,  black leather grip wrapped in brass wire, and steel scabbard.  Its slightly shorter but more steeply curved blade and single brass knuckle-bow distinguish this saber from similar cavalry designs.  French versions can be distinguished from American versions by the presence of French manufacturers' marks and the lack of U.S. markings.

== External links ==
*[http://howardlanham.tripod.com/link11d.htm Union Army Uniforms and Insignia of the Civil War]
*[http://howardlanham.tripod.com/linkgr5/link200.html M1840 Light Artillery Saber]

{{USCWWeapons}}

[[Category:Swords of the United States]]
[[Category:American Civil War weapons]]
[[Category:Ames Manufacturing Company]]

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