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

The drawn sword meas. approx. 36.25 inches long from point to pommel. The blade measures 30.50 inches in length. 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, clean and near perfect with just a few scattered rub marks near the point and the edge is totally free of nicks.

The etched decoration on the blade is strong and beautiful. The obverse side etching 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. It features a grooved, center-swelled wooden handle wrapped in high quality, gray sharkskin. Skin is tightly bound with twisted brass wire that is complete throughout. 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 excellent condition.

The original black leather scabbard is complete with brass furniture. Scabbard body shows just the slightest wear in the form of three surface creases in the finish. 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 with several minor dings.

Engraved on the top mount is “PRESENTED TO / LT. JOHN T. BATCHELDER / BY THE MEMBERS OF THE 1^ST UNATTACHED CO. / HEAVY ARTILLERY / FORT WARREN, BOSTON HARBOR / MARCH 1863.”

John True Batchelder was born in Chichester, New Hampshire on May 14, 1833. The 29 year old clerk was living in Concord, New Hampshire when he enlisted as a Private in Company A, 1^st Battalion Massachusetts Heavy Artillery on February 19, 1862.

Batchelder’s Company was assigned to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor where it remained throughout its service. On March 1, 1862 Batchelder was promoted to Sergeant. He was made 1^st Sergeant on November 11, 1862 and commissioned 2^nd Lieutenant April 10, 1863. On September 3, 1864 he was transferred to Company B and promoted to 1^st Lieutenant. He mustered out on June 29, 1865.

After the war he returned to Concord where he lived until his death on July 6, 1904. He is buried in Concord’s Blossom Hill Cemetery.

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