Old habits die hard and collectors have long called this the Model 1860, though recent scholarship has determined the pattern was sent by the US Navy to Ames in May 1861, the first contract was made in June, and the first hundred delivered in July. Modeled on a French design, as were so many US edged weapons, this cup-hilt design replaced the 1841 pattern with a lighter blade and better protection for the hand.

The blade on this is bright, with mirror finish, and super edge and point. The pad at the blade shoulder is there. The Ames scroll address is legible, but rubbed, as is usual since it was lightly struck. The 1861 date on the other side of the ricasso, however, is crisp. The hilt and blade are tight. The brass has a medium patina. The cup guard has one or two minor dings to the turned edge but no dents to the body. The edge of the counterguard shows some light marks since it would rest against the wearer’s side or the back of an arms rack. The scabbard is excellent, with no bends or breaks. It is full length, with tip not bent or broken. All rivets are in place on the reverse and the frog stud is present on the face. The finish is very good with just minor scuffs and rubs. The rivets still have much of their black japanning. The leather grip wrap is there and complete. It shows just minor rubs and, as usual, lacks the binding wire, which seems to have been universally removed in the navy because of verdigris.

The upper scabbard is stamped with a “2” and outside of the cup hilt has the number “440.” These are probably rack numbers applied at different times. The upper inside edge of the counterguard, however, has the number “768,” which is the location for the serial number required by the Navy from Ames starting with number “601” in August 1861. Given that 600 had been produced in the month previous, it is pretty clear that ours dates very shortly after that.

This is a complete example in wonderful condition with a very scarce early date.  [sr]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!