This Federal artillery sword is an Ames Model 1832 U.S. Foot Artilleryman's short sword with original scabbard in remarkable, almost mint original condition. This specimen is the finest M1832 short sword that The Horse Soldier has ever handled. Most handsome and ruggedly made, this blade specimen is a product of the Ames Manufacturing Company of Massachusetts. The artilleryman's sword features a hefty, double-edged, steel blade in the Roman Gladius-style and measures 19" long x 1¾" wide at the hilt. This short sword is rather unwieldy and its use as a weapon is debatable with some contemporary accounts indicating that this type weapon was used to clear brush and other obstacles from around gun positions or to dig new gun emplacements.

Blade surface appears mint on both flats and shows a smooth, shiny bright finish overall. A few isolated spots of light oxidation appear at the ricasso. Blade has a 3¼" long double fuller above the ricasso that transistions into a 10¼" long single fuller up to near the blade point. No edge nicks along the double edges. Produced by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts, the sword is strongly marked on the obverse ricasso with "finely stamped, unfolded scroll with AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS" while the reverse ricasso exhibits "US / 1862". The solid brass hilt has the typical 'fish-scale' or 'rows of feathers' cast in the handle along with a strong eagle engraved on both sides of the pommel. Front face of the crossguard, a.k.a. the cruciform guard, exhibits the initials of the arsenal inspector "J.H." Brass hilt is tight and the handle bears a mellow bronze patina.

Matching leather sword scabbard is in exceptional original condition complete with its brass throat and brass tip, both still tightly attached to the scabbard with all eight of the small brass tacks. Brass buttonhook on throat is tight. Leather body is strong and exhibits very minimal wear. Stitching is very tight and strong. No flaking or scuffing at all. Scabbard, a beautiful specimen, is unmarked or stamped. These short swords are difficult to locate in the collecting field today and this extraordinary fine specimen with its original scabbard would make a exceptional addition to any US military edged weapon display or collection.