The Ames Sword was a successor to the Ames Manufacturing Company and in business from 1881 to the 1920s, though its Chicago branch had consolidated into Henderson-Ames in 1893. This is a good example of their regulation sword for US Military Cadets at West Point from 1872 to 1922. The pattern had been developed at Springfield in 1867 and put in production there in 1868, giving rise to some difference in terminology by collectors.

The hilt is cast brass with a lantern shaped pommel with eagle and arrows, and a sword knot scroll. The grips are made to resemble wire wrapping with floral decorated ferrules and show the regulation nickel plating. The guard has straight quillons with finials showing an eagle head biting a snake that entwines it, a symbol of resistance in the face of power, and a quillon block with an oval cartouche surrounded by floral sprays on the obverse containing an “MA” in Old English, with the reverse blank.

The blade is straight, diamond in cross-section, tapering slightly to the point. Both sides are etched with a mix of floral scrolls and vines with martial motifs and given gilt highlights. The obverse bears a American eagle flanked by a sunburst on either side as the central motif. The reverse has the Ames company marking on the long ricasso and a “U.S.” as the central panel. The edge and point are good. The etching is vivid, but with wear to some of the gilt highlights, and freckling to the Ames address and to the blank ricasso on the obverse. The scabbard is nickel plated steel with brass throat, upper mount with frog hook, and asymmetrical drag. The brass scabbard mounts and hilt match, having a nice mellow, aged tone.

Between Springfield Armory and Ames, Horstmann and other commercial makers, there are number of slight, but interesting, variations of this pattern. [sr] [ph:m]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!