This original Civil War Model 1850 foot officer’s sword made by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts comes complete with its matching leather scabbard. Ames produced high-grade edged weapons for private purchase, and also for some government contracts.

This regulation infantry officer’s edged weapon is in good overall condition. Crafted from high-grade steel, the blade measures 30½” long, 1” wide, and has a stopped wide fuller 21½” long. Also has an integrated 16” long narrow fuller. On the flat of both sides of the blade, starting right above the ricasso, is an etched design that extends for a length of seventeen inches. Reverse of blade exhibits the same design that features letters “U S”. Letters are flanked with a panoply of military arms and delicate foliate of leaves and scroll decorations. Blade obverse shows the same design makeup, but features a detailed spreadwinged eagle centered in the design flanked with military arms and more foliate. The maker’s inscription on the obverse ricasso of this officer’s sword is thin but reads, “Ames Mfg. Co / Chicopee / Mass.” in script. Entire blade major areas of rust pitting and black oxidation on both flats. Blade also carries a number of edge nicks.

The finely detailed, single-band brass hilt features a solid guard and knucklebow with a delicately cast band that displays cutout oak leaf scrolls and acanthus leaves. Brass hilt is just slightly loose to the blade tang. Original leather pad / washer is strong and secure. Grips feature a grooved, center-swelled wooden handle wrapped in high quality, dark colored rayskin. Skin is tightly bound with double-twisted brass wire around the handle. Normal seam separation is evident on the reverse side of the handle, else tight and strong. 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 and crisp. All brass hilt bears some surface grime.

The original leather scabbard is a complete specimen with brass furniture. Two, plain, brass bands support the two suspension sword mounts with rings and are adorned with simple edge tooling on each band. Scabbard body exhibits moderate cracking and crazing and shows old repairs over most of the body with focus at the bottom of the lower band, bottom of the upper band, and also at the top of the brass drag area. Scabbard’s upper band displays the maker’s mark “AMES MFG. CO / CHICOPEE / MASS.” Scabbard retains all three small attachment screws.

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