VERY SCARCE 1861 DATED AND U.S. INSPECTED AMES “DOUBLE ADDRESS” 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD

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Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 597-16

This is a scarce 1861-dated U.S. government contracted and inspected M1850 foot officer’s sword in near excellent condition showing a pleasing slight, age patina, but with lots of original finish. Government contracted officers’ swords were to be sold at cost to officers, something especially welcome to those at remote locations. A limited number of 1850 foot officer swords were contracted for from Ames when the pattern was introduced (delivered in 1851 and 1852,) but not again until June 1861, and that contract that was rescinded after delivery of just 1,002, making them scarce, and of these just 431 were delivered by December 1861 that would have been dated 1861.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. (We note that he omits a December 9, 1861, delivery of 6 swords recorded by Hickox, throwing his math off slightly for his 1861 total.)

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 stamped with John Hannis’s inspector mark, US / JH / 1861. (As is correct, and noted by Thillmann for the pattern, there are no other inspection marks on the pommel or drag of the sword.) The other, stamped in the reverse ricasso, is the typical Ames scroll address reading “Manufactured by / AMES MFg. Co. / CHICOPEE / MASS.” This double 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’ swords. As is also correct, the scabbard bears a third Ames marking in the usual spot on the reverse of the upper mount.

This follows the standard configuration of M1850 foot officer’s sword with gilt brass hilt, sharkskin wrapped and twisted, gilt wire bound grip, cast and chased openwork guard with floral motifs, etched blade, and gilt brass mounted black leather scabbard and rates fine or near excellent overall with hilt showing pleasantly age-muted gilt finish, as do the scabbard mounts. The grip shows good color and surface with just light wear and the wire binding is tight and in place, as is the pad on the underside of the guard. The blade has good edge and point, smooth metal and fully visible bright, if not quite “vivid” etching, with very few small gray age spots. On both sides the frosted ground for the etching ends at the top in straight, flame points. On the obverse the etching used loose floral scrolls at the bottom, and vine entwined trophy of arms (cannon, quiver, trumpet, etc.) and the middle with a US eagle with raised wings, arrows and olive branch with foliate scroll overhead dry needle etched “E Pluribus Unum” followed by a final, wavy leaf and berry branch. The reverse uses similar floral motifs at top and bottom with the center having a block US (reading toward the hilt) with a taller, also vine entwined, stand of arms with pikes, cannon, shield and trumpet, just above it.

The scabbard is in equally good condition, solid, with no bend or breaks, very good color and surface showing just some rubs or a couple of expected, fine age cracks to the finish and with the scabbard mounts tight and matching the hilt in finish and condition. This was the regulation sword for line officers, i.e. the company officers, lieutenants and captains, serving on foot with their men in the infantry, heavy artillery, etc., and there were plenty made by different manufacturers during the war as the ranks of volunteers swelled up, but this is a very scarce variant made early in the conflict in the under the old arrangement with the U.S. Army for issue to regular army officers and will probably fill a space in even the more advanced collection.  [sr][ph:L]

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