This heavy edged weapon is a rugged specimen of a Southern-produced copy of a Model 1832-Foot Artilleryman's short sword in decent relic condition. Similar to those "Roman-style" swords manufactured by the N. P. Ames Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, this pre-Civil War sword is completely unmarked. Missing the leather scabbard but retaining its original, 5½" brass scabbard tip, the relic weapon was recovered from the Shiloh battlefield sometime after the war. Worn mostly by artillery battery NCOs as a badge of rank, this artilleryman's sword features a hefty, double-edged steel blade that measures about 19" long x 1¾" wide at the hilt. This type of short sword was unwieldy and its use as a weapon is debatable.

Some contemporary accounts indicate the blade was used to clear brush and other obstacles from around gun positions. Both flats of the blade have no fuller at all. Blade is heavily rusted from hilt to tip and exhibits numerous, deep blade nicks and cuts along the true edge. Heavy brass hilt is tight and solid but crudely cast brass with the typical 'fish scale' handle. No markings on the short brass guard or the pommel brim. Brass scabbard tip, which is stuck onto the blade tip, has lost brass scheen and wears a dull, dark brown oxidation coating. Brass wears a darkened bronze patina and exhibits its share of shallow dings and dents. Never cleaned.

Confederate short artillery swords are becoming difficult to find in the collecting field today and this specimen would make a fine addition to any military collection or edged weapons display.