AMES MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD

$550.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 2020-92

This is the regulation pattern carried by Civil War officers serving on foot, that is: lieutenants and captains in the infantry or heavy artillery. Generally regarded more as badge of rank than a weapon, these swords were nevertheless carried in combat and occasionally came into play in close fighting. We know of one that clipped off a Confederate soldier’s ear in the chaotic hand-to-hand fighting at Spotsylvania as Union soldiers poured over the breastworks of the Salient.

This pattern replaced the 1840 officer’s sword, that was generally disliked, and like many weapons of the period followed a French model. The hilt features a brass pommel with knuckleguard and openwork guard that has two integral branches amid the cast and chased floral motifs. The brass has a mellow, aged patina, but still shows some subdued original gilt in recesses. The gray sharkskin grip wrap is all there, as is the twisted wire binding, though the latter is a bit loose under the pommel and there are some wear small wear spots to the sharkskin.

The thin blade pad under the guard is gone, but the gilt finish on the face of the guard is quite strong. The blade is fully etched and visible, showing as a muted silver against the frosted background, which has shifted toward gray. The obverse has the maker name and address etched near the guard of the most well-known maker of Civil War swords: “Ames Mfg. Co / Chicopee / Mass.” Each side is etched with panoplies of arms and floral scrolls with the required U.S. and American eagle. The edge and point of the blade are good, with no nicks. There are scattered dark gray spots, but no pitting. This is a nice example of this regulation Civil War officer’s sword.  [SR]

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