AMES M1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD & SCABBARD PRESENTED TO WILLIAM D. ADAMS, SOLDIER WHO SERVED IN BOTH THE 13TH MASSACHUSETTS & 79TH UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS

$5,500.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 870-361

Excellent conditioned Model 1850 foot officer’s sword made by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts complete with its matching metal scabbard.

The drawn sword meas. approx. 36.25 inches long from point to pommel. The blade measures 30.50 inches in length and is 1 3/16 inches wide at the ricasso. It has a stopped wide central fuller 21.00 inches long and a 16.00 inch long narrow fuller along the top edge. The blade surface is bright with light scattered rub marks near the point and the edge is totally free of nicks.

The etched decoration on the blade is strong. The obverse side begins just above the ricasso with the maker’s name in three lines “AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS.” This is followed by scrollwork capped by a panoply of arms. This is followed by a spread-winged eagle with an “E PLURIBUS UNUM” riband and foliate.

The reverse etching begins with scrollwork followed by a script “US” above which is a group consisting of a cannon barrel, shield, bugle and spears followed by foliate.

The leather washer at the base of the blade is present and complete.

The detailed brass hilt features a cast guard and knucklebow with a delicately cast single-band with cutout oak leaf scrolls and acanthus leaves. Brass hilt is tight to the blade tang. Features a grooved, center-swelled wooden handle wrapped in high quality, gray sharkskin. Skin is tightly bound with twisted brass wire that has one small break near the top. This break has caused the top four courses of the wire to be a bit loose. Normal seam is evident in the sharkskin on the side of the grip. Brass pommel is decorated with ornate scrollwork of laurel leaves and features a tiered domed cap. Casting on the hilt and pommel is well executed. Overall the hilt is in very good condition.

The original blued iron scabbard is complete with brass furniture. Scabbard body is free of dents exhibits some very light surface pitting here and there. Both the plain brass mounts and throat are present as are both rings. Reverse of throat has AMES MFG CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS.” in three lines. All brass furniture wears a light patina. Drag is in very good condition.

Engraved on the top mount is “PRESENTED TO / LT. W. D. ADAMS / BY HIS FRIENDS OF CHELSEA / APRIL 15TH 1863.”

William Dexter Adams was born August 9, 1840 in Boston, Massachusetts. He enlisted as 6th Corporal in Company C, 13th Massachusetts Infantry on June 29, 1861. At the time he was described as being 5’ 7¾’ tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and by profession a clerk. Not long after his enlistment Adams was made 3rd Corporal and on November 1, 1862 was promoted to Sergeant. The following February Adams was discharged to accept a commission as a Lieutenant in the 79th USCT. While with the 13th Massachusetts Adams was present at 2nd Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg. His military records contain a letter from his commanding officer describing him as “a faithful soldier” and stating that he “believes him competent to fill a higher position.”

Adams was commissioned 1st Lieutenant in the 79th United States Colored Troops on March 7, 1863 and joined the regiment at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was assigned duties as Regimental Quartermaster. After the fall of Port Hudson he took a 20 day leave of absence for, as he put it “Private business of a delicate and important nature, improper to state, renders it imperative that I should make the application for thirty days.”

After his leave he remained on duty as Regimental Quartermaster until relieved in April of 1864 when he was assigned to Company H.

Adams was discharged August 14, 1864 when his regiment was absorbed by another organization.

After his discharge Adams returned to Massachusetts and his wife Elizabeth whom he had married in October of 1863. The couple had four children but sadly Elizabeth died in 1873 and Adams married again in 1876, this time to Mary Lime.

At some point Adams moved his family to New Jersey where he died of a heart attack on April 3, 1917. He is buried in Rosedale Cemetery, Orange, New Jersey.

Full military and pension records come with the item.  [ad]

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