RARE 1861 DATED AND ANDREW D. KING U.S. INSPECTED AMES “DOUBLE ADDRESS” 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD

RARE 1861 DATED AND ANDREW D. KING U.S. INSPECTED AMES “DOUBLE ADDRESS” 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD

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$3,950.00

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Item Code: 2025-2431

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This is a scarce 1861-dated U.S. government contracted and inspected M1850 foot officer’s sword in about excellent condition and is rare in being inspected by A.D. King. Government contracted officers’ swords were to be sold at cost to officers, something especially welcome to those posted at remote locations. The government contracted with Ames for a limited number of 1850 pattern foot officer swords when the pattern was introduced (delivered in 1851 and 1852,) but did not do so again until June 1861. Not only was that 1861 contract rescinded after delivery of just 1,002, making them scarce, but of these just 431 were delivered by December 1861 that would have been dated 1861. For particulars on these swords see Thillmann, US Army Swords. P.342ff and Hickox, Guide to Ames. We note that Thillmann omits a December 9, 1861, delivery of 6 swords recorded by Hickox, producing his total of just 425 rather than 431 for 1861.

As is correct for these 1861-dated examples the blade bears two Ames maker address markings. One is part of the blade etching on the obverse, reading “Ames Mfg. Co. / Chicopee / Mass” just above the ricasso. The other address is an Ames banner/scroll address stamped on the reverse ricasso, reading, “Made by / AMES MFg. Co. / CHICOPEE / MASS.” This double address marking does not appear on the 1862-dated examples and is taken by Thillmann as an indicator of early war production when it is occasionally found on other Ames officers’s swords.

As is also correct for this pattern there are no inspection marks on the brim of the pommel cap, but there are on the obverse ricasso, just under the etched blade address: US / A.D.K./ 1861. This is the mark of US Inspector Andrew D. King and the sword is also rare in that Thillmann records his inspector’s initials on the 1862 dated examples of this pattern, along with L.D. and G.G.S, but not on the 1861 examples, which he lists with just J.H. or “G.G.S.” stamps. Given the severely limited sample size available for study, however, there is no problem with King’s mark showing up on an 1861 dated version. There were ten separate deliveries of these swords from Aug. 10, 1861, through Dec. 31, 1861, one with just six swords and five more with thirty-five or fewer. The double address, not showing up on 1862 dated examples confirms it, as does the fact that on the 1862 dated examples, the stamped US is omitted and on those inspected by King, his initials and date appear on opposite sides of the ricasso.

In design this follows the standard configuration of an Ames M1850 foot officer’s sword: gilt brass hilt, sharkskin wrapped and twisted, gilt wire bound grip, cast and chased openwork guard with foliate motifs, etched blade, and black leather scabbard with gilt brass mounts, the upper mount bearing the stamped maker’s address, “AMES MFG CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS.” The hilt has a mellow, medium patina, and preserves crisp detail to the cast and chased foliate motifs of pommel, knucklebow, openwork guard, the counterguard and quillon, with some slightly darker areas in recesses. The grip wrap is very good, showing strong gray color and just a couple of small wear spots. The twisted wire binding is all there, but became loosened near the guard and one strand was simply coiled around the other on the lower end.

The blade has good edge and point, smooth metal and vivid etching. On the obverse a sequence of foliate scrolls runs from etched Ames address up to a vine entwined trophy of arms, followed by a US eagle with raised, spread wings, with foliate ribbon scroll overhead dry-needle etched E Pluribut Unum, foliate scrolls and pointed leaves ending the sequence with flamelike terminals to the etched ground just beyond. The reverse employs on the etched ground foliate scrolls at the base and a long leafy branch at top, with a “US” at the lower portion of the middle and a tall foliate entwined stand of polearms with short pennants, cannon barrel, etc. just above, the panel terminating in the same flamelike points as on the obverse. We just a slight bit of darkening on ricasso, slight softness to the etched address, and some light scratches to the stamped banner address.

The scabbard is excellent as well- solid, with no bends or breaks, and good black finish to the leather, the mounts securely in place and matching the hilt in color and tone. The address on the reverse of the upper mount shows some slight wear, but is fully legible.

This was the regulation sword for line officers, i.e. the company officers - lieutenants and captains, serving on foot. There were plenty made by different manufacturers during the war, and they are a collecting field of their own. This is a very scarce variant made early in the conflict under the old, pre-war arrangement by the U.S. Army for sale to regular army officers who could not find a convenient retailer and will probably fill a space in even the most advanced collection.  [sr][ph:L]

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