Ames is perhaps the best known sword maker of the Civil War. This is a good example of their foot officer’s sword, made regulation in 1850 and carried throughout the war by infantry lieutenants and captains serving on foot in the regimental line of battle (and also by officers of artillery regiments serving on foot, many of whom found themselves called into the field as infantry in 1864.)

The brass hilt has been polished and matches the scabbard mounts. The grip has its full, regulation, gray sharkskin wrap with minimal wear and full, tight, twisted brass binding wire. The grip shows a fairly common narrow age gap along the seam on the reverse. The counterguard has the standard open-work floral designs regulation for the pattern.

The blade has the Ames scroll address on the reverse ricasso with etched scrolling floral motifs above leading to a central block style “US” with a panoply of arms and flags above, finishing with more floral scrolls to the end of the panel. The obverse has the same scrolling floral motifs below and above the characteristic Ames eagle set across the blade with raised wings and E Pluribus Unum ribbon.

The blade was obviously cleaned at some point and there is some shallow pitting on either side for a couple of inches down from the tip, which is slightly rounded. The etching does not show frosting, but is very distinct and visible for the entire blade length.

The scabbard is matching and in very good condition, the black leather oxidizing slightly toward brown, with good seam and finish, showing just occasional crazing to the surface finish and no bends or creases. The polished brass mounts match the hilt and the upper mount shows a crisp “Ames Mfg Co. / Chicopee / Mass” stamp, just a little light on the last “s.” Screws are in place on the middle and upper mount. The drag is tight, but the screw is missing and there are some dents and dings to the drag, which is common.

A good example of the regulation Civil War sword for Union line officers serving on foot.  [sr]

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