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$1,295.00
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Item Code: 2026-1236
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This is a nice example of the U.S. Model 1832 short sword, dated 1834. Both sword and scabbard are in good condition. Adopted in 1832 for sergeants, musicians, and foot artillery, this pattern was restricted in the regular army to the artillery starting in 1840 but, saw wider use in state militia. It was a popular arm, produced by Ames for more than thirty years and saw use from the Seminole Wars, where artillery also saw service as infantry, through the Mexican War, and well into the Civil War.
The sword hilt preserves great detail to the feathered grip and the U.S. eagles cast into either side of the pommel. Both show little wear from handling and the patina to the brass and the rivets is pleasing: medium in tone but not bright. One side of the guard has a slight bend downward. The underside of the guard has a partial inspector mark in an oval on one end. Along with a sharp “S. HUSE / NEWBURYPORT” lined up with the blade along one edge of the guard. The blade stamps are equally sharp: the Ames eagle over “N.P. AMES / SPRINGFIELD” on one side near the guard, and “UNITED / STATES / 1834” on the other side. The blade has a good edge and point, with a few edge nicks, mostly on the last third, towards the point. The blade is smooth bright metal with the exception of gray spotting near the hilt and at the tip.
The 1834 date would place the sword in the third and last delivery under Ames’s second contract with the army. This was signed February 1833 and was for 2,000 swords, like the first. 1,100 were delivered by July 1833 and the remaining 900 seem to have been delivered by March 1834. Ames received another contract in November 1834 for more swords of the pattern but, the hilts made by Huse had received complaints for loosening up. Those furnished after completion of the second contract in March 1834, seem to have been produced in-house by Ames, using an improved mold.
The scabbard is complete, with some age cracking to the surface of the black leather body, with nice color and no loss of finish, and an undisturbed, aged patina to the brass mounts. The bottom drag has become detached due to age shrinking in the leather but, displays well and could be repaired.
This is a nice-looking set that has the look of having been together forever and a nice early date to the sword that is particularly scarce with the Huse marked hilt. It was formerly in “The Stone House Museum Collection” of Windsor, NY and bears blue tag # SHM-33 on the blade. Originally purchased in 1978 for $275. It would make a great addition to an artillery or militia display, or to a collection of regulation U.S. swords and edged weapons. [stp] [ph:L]
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