Presented here is a relic M1850 foot officer’s sword from the Gettysburg battlefield in very good, untouched condition. Made by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts, this early pickup is a very rare, Ordnance Department, government-inspected, and 1850-dated sword specimen that came from a local Gettysburg farm estate sale sometime in 1976. Scabbard is missing. One of only 800 Ames US-purchased Foot Officer swords delivered to the Ordnance Department, this 1850-dated specimen is very scarce.

The officer’s sword is in great, strong relic condition with a blade that measures 30¼” long, 1” wide, and has a stopped wide fuller 21½” long with an integrated 15” long narrow fuller. Blade is moderately to heavily rusted from above the ricasso to the tip and displays a few deep nicks along the edge.  Blade tang is tight to the hilt. The maker’s inscription on the obverse ricasso reads, “Ames Mfg. Co / Chicopee / Mass.” in easily visible script. Reverse ricasso shows “US / ADK / 1850”. Flats exhibit moderate to heavy rusting and also a few deep edge nicks. The finely detailed, single-band brass hilt features a solid guard and knucklebow with a cast band that displays cutout oak leaf scrolls and acanthus leaves. Knucklebow is not bent but does show a partial separation at the bottom of the pommel. Brass hilt is slightly loose to the blade tang. Original leather washer missing.

Grips are original and in remarkably excellent condition. Sword retains its grooved, center-swelled wooden handle wrapped in high quality, dark colored rayskin.  Skin shows no tears, chips, or blemishes save for the normal seam separation evident at the bottom of handle due to normal age shrinkage. Grips are still tightly bound with double-twisted brass wire.  Brass pommel is decorated with ornate scrollwork of laurel leaves and features a tiered domed cap.  Casting on the hilt and pommel is well executed and entire hilt exhibits traces of its original gold gilt.

This original and quality battle veteran Ames Model 1850-foot officer’s sword is a fine relic example of a Civil War edged weapon that bears a sought-after Gettysburg provenance.