The Ames Manufacturing Company produced this sword from 1832-1862. This particular sword was produced in 1855 and is so marked. The blade is in excellent shape. Its surfaces are clean and bright with just the slightest bit of mottling scattered over its length. The lower edge has two very small nicks while the upper edge appears clean. The ricasso is stamped “AMES MFG. CO. CHICOPEE” in two lines on one side and “U.S. ADK 1855” in three lines on the other. Cast brass grip is in good condition with three interior rivets holding the blade in place. The face of the cross guard is stamped with inspector’s initials “ADK” and below that is “R.H.K.W.” in script letters. Each side of the pommel cap is stamped with a spread winged eagle with good detail.

The leather scabbard is in matching condition. The leather is excellent except for 6 or 7 hairline cracks on the surface finish. These are very minor. There are also 6 thin scratches on the lower third of the scabbard. Again, these are minor. Brass throat and scabbard tip have a matching light patina. Ball of tip is stamped “ADK” on one side and “R.H.K. W.” on the other.

The interesting thing about this sword is that the condition and inspector initials are all matching showing that these pieces have been together from the star. Also, this was the year in which the die used to stamp the blades was changed from Springfield to Chicopee.

In July of 1854 Ames had a contract with the Government for 1,000 Model 1832 Foot Artillery Short swords which he delivered in May of 1855. He also had another contract for an additional 1000 in August of 1855. He fulfilled that order in July of 1856. The sword offered here was made to fill one of those two contracts.

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

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

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!