NEW JERSEY MARKED AND 1855 DATED AMES 1832 SHORT SWORD WITH SCABBARD

$850.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 1102-52

Very few 1832 pattern short swords are state marked despite the fact that the U.S. government supplied probably 75 percent of their purchases to states under the 1808 militia act and many were directly purchased by state and local militias, as well as fraternal groups and others. Thillmann notes that only Massachusetts and New Jersey marked examples seem to show up. This is one of the scarce “NJ” marked examples dated 1855 with the appropriate “large block” Ames address.

Modeled on the French 1816 sword for foot artillery, and looking like an ancient Roman gladius, the Model 1832 short sword was later associated exclusively with heavy artillery, but in the U.S. were issued also as NCO and musician’s swords until the 1840 patterns were distributed and many non-federal units likely adhered to the older tradition for some time. They are certainly impressive looking sidearms.

This one is the regulation pattern with brass hilt featuring an impressed U.S. eagle on either side of the pommel and feathered grip secured by three iron rivets. The blade is the standard form with two lower fullers and single upper fuller, double edged with spear point tip. The brass has a mellow, medium tone, with a few minor age stains and the blade is a dull silver with scattered gray spots, but no pitting. The edge is not nicked and the point is good. The scabbard is complete and solid, with no bends or breaks, and a tight rear seam. There are some expected age cracks to the finish. The drag is a tad loose. The brass has a matching tone with the hilt. The frog button is in place on the upper mount.

One ricasso has the large block address “Ames Mfg. Co. / Chicopee” with slight rubbing on the left of the second line. According to Thillmann this form of the address is known to appear on 1855 and 1856 dated examples. The other side bears a U.S., inspector’s initials, and an 1855 date, a little light on the left, but unambiguous. On the side bearing the Ames company stamp, the flat of the crossguard is stamped “I” and “4,” likely a company letter and “rack number” identifying the weapon. On the side with the date, the crossguard bears an “N.J.” stamp partially over chief inspector Robert Whitely’s “RHKW” stamp. (See Thillmann, CW Army Swords, p. 45, for a very similar 1856 dated New Jersey example. )

This is nice example of scarce, state marked Ames short sword.  [sr]

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