Based upon a French pattern of edged weapon, this sword specimen found on the battlefield of Gettysburg resembles the Roman infantry sword. Unwieldy and almost useless as a weapon, this massive short sword, produced by the Ames Mfg. Company, served the foot artillery regiments as a brush and branch cutter on the battlefield.

The heavy artifact, once part of the Ollinger Collection, exhibits a 19” long blade that is straight, double edged and elliptical in design. A single broad fuller 10 3/8” long runs the center of the blade. Some 25” in overall length, weapon has a cast brass grip that is molded in a scalloped decoration that suggests a distinctive fish-scale design. Stamped near the hilt on one side of the blade is “UNITED STATES / 1835” while the opposite ricasso is marked with a spreadwinged eagle over “ N.P. AMES / SPRINGFIELD”.

Brass pommel is decorated on both sides with an American eagle and shield. Never cleaned, this edged weapon exhibits a pleasing dusky gray patina to the blade and a warm, mellow hue to all brass. Affixed to the brass guard is an old paper tag with the numeral “95” handwritten on it. This Gettysburg battlefield sword specimen, once part of the Ollinger Collection, is identified in John Geiselman’s collection by his museum listing. Previously sold as item R11451.

This item is NOT eligible for the 10% Geiselman item discount.

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The Horse Soldier is pleased to offer a number of items from the John P. Geiselman collection, a collection that was on display for many years at the Geiselman Country Store Museum on Barlow - Two Taverns Road. Geiselman began his collecting as a child in the early 1920s, and during the pre-World II period had access to artifacts that had been purchased earlier at the estate sales of the Trostle, Rogers, Rose, Weikert, and Wentz farms - local properties that figured prominently in the battle and its aftermath. During this period he had access as well to the Hill , Plank, and Stewart collections, and was able to acquire other items that had been sold from turn-of-the-century relics establishments such as the Danner, Ziegler, and Oak Ridge Museums. Furthermore, Geiselman carefully documented most artifacts, and collectors perusing the list will be able to note, in many instances, not only the source of the relic and the date of its recovery, but also the part of the battlefield from which it came. In other words, his collection is the last major grouping of Gettysburg artifacts assembled and documented by a local resident.

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