A FINE MODEL 1832 INFANTRY OFFICER'S SWORD

A FINE MODEL 1832 INFANTRY OFFICER'S SWORD

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$650.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-2249

This is a US Model 1832/34 sword for officers of infantry, artillery and ordnance made by Ames of Springfield Massachusetts. The sword was specified in uniform regulations of 1832, and the pattern was regulation until the introduction of new patterns in 1840.It follows the standard pattern, and rates very good for condition. The hilt retains lots of gilt finish and shows just a few minor dings to the sheet silver grip; the blade is full length at 31 inches with good edge and point and has legible etching; the scabbard is missing.

The hilt is gilt brass with a globular pommel, two-piece, smooth on top and fluted on the bottom half, surmounted by a square nut secured the threaded blade tang, but rather tall in imitation of a capstan rivet and bearing a raised star design. The upper portion of the pommel shows some darker, patinaed brass from old handling, with the gilt stronger on the lower portion of the pommel and the rest of the hilt. The knuckle bow is slit for a sword knot and beaded along the sides, with tall, cylindrical quillons that widen toward the tips extending above and below the sides of the hollow, “boat shaped” guard inspired by British patterns, and beaded along the obverse edge to match the knuckle bow. The grip is made of sheet silver, impressed to simulate wire wrapping, and shows one shallow pressure dent, but no loss of detail on the false-wire impression. The leather pad is partially in place on the blade shoulder on the underside of the guard, a feature specifically mentioned by Ames in correspondence. The blade is straight, double-edged, with spearpoint tip and narrow central fuller. The edge and point are very good. The blade has as a muted silver-gray color with scattered thin, darker gray age spots. The etching is quite legible. The etching incorporates the usual mix of floral, martial and patriotic motifs and both sides employ a panel at bottom with crossed cannon, above which a US flag, slightly furled, slants out to either side. This motif includes a Liberty Cap on tall pole at center. The top portion on each side uses a “theatre-box” panel, somewhat like tombstone shaped shako plate in some collectors’ view, with a dynamic American eagle with arrows and olive branch, flourishing a ribbon with the dry-point etched word “LIBERTY” and with stars overheard following the upper curve of the panel, which itself has the rays of a sunburst glory jutting up from the top edge. The appearance of crossed cannon in the etching may indicate the sword was intended for an officer in the artillery but positioned with flags it may be a more generally applicable military or patriotic motif. In a scroll on the obverse of the blade done with a "hot needle" is "N. P, AMES" over "Cutler" over "Springfield"; this is worn and hard to read.

This is a fine example of a U.S. regulation sword for an officer typically in the regular army and perhaps in the artillery. These were carried in the Seminole Wars, the Mexican War and particularly by Confederate officers early in the Civil War.  [pe][ph:L]

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