Model 1840 Horse Artillery Saber, 1862, unknown mfg.

Original Model 1840 Horse Artillery Saber of unknown manufacture. It is 1862 dated and the letters CONN are clearly visible. My first impression was this may be a Collins of Hartford, Connecticut (abbreviated CONN), but they are not known to have had any US government contracts for the US Model 1840 Light Artillery Saber (I suppose it could have been a State contract). I am not aware of any other maker from Connecticut that had a contract for these regulation sabers. My next thoughts were that perhaps it could be Confederate. I am aware of swords sold by James Conning of Mobile, Alabama and he is known to have sold Model 1840 Light Artillery Sabers to the State of Alabama and perhaps to the CSA The State swords are not known to have been marked in this fashion. The CONN in CONNING could fit but that may be a stretch; however, James Conning was known for silver-smithing before he moved to Alabama and this sword shows evidence of silver on the guard at the ricasso and on the pommel near the guard. Another marking of note is the identification number 46B on the blade ricasso over the CONN and date of 1862. This is not normal US marking so perhaps it could be Southern (or perhaps simply a State unit marking)? I cannot say for certain on any of this but it does demand further serious research. It bears no foreign proofs or typical markings associated with French swords of the same style. Having said all that, it is most likely an Ames or Collins with the markings obscured by wear or intentially obscured, but the 46B marking is not indicative of what is normally found on Union swords. I have seen a similar "CONN" marked US Model 1840 Light Artillery Saber in World Swords 1400 - 1945 by Harvey S. Withers, but without the "46B" stamp. He calls it an Ames but the "CONN" marking found on Collins swords is clearly visible.
Overall length is ~37-1/2"; blade length is ~32". Good condition overall. Grip has most of its leather intact but is missing almost all of its twisted brass wire wrap. The sword does not show any signs of abuse; it does appear to have been lightly sharpened at one time and does have a number of very small edge knicks.
NOTE: No Scabbard.