Ames M1832 Short Sword CIVIL WAR NAVAL Medallion

AMES M1832 SHORT SWORD  & SCABBARD CIVIL WAR NAVAL MEDALLION

Dated 1833 With rare Scabbard Civil War Naval Button

 

Presented is an interesting Ames short sword with a Civil War Naval provenance as shown by the button which is on the tip of the scabbard. This button is of the type that was used by the Union Navy during the Civil War and is pictured on page 189 of Bazelon's "Horstmanns: The Enterprise of Military Equipage." The patina on the scabbards metal work shows that it is due to normal aging and was not chemically applied. That said,we have no direct knowledge where and how this sword was used, but it has an exceptionally sharp blade with no evidence of sharpening. This sword was made in 1833 in Springfield, MA before the factory moved to the nearby town of Cabotville which later became part of the new town of Chicopee. 

Civil War Naval Button with authentic age patination

SEA SERVICE: It is known that because it was shorter and lighter than the heavier swords of the time, it was readily adopted at sea because it was more easily carried and used on the crowed ship's decks or in the rigging.

 

IMPRINTS: The blade has better than average imprints, and what may be its original scabbard. The visible markings on the obverse are the Ames eagle, over N.P. Ames, over Springfield on three lines. On the reverse,  United over States over 1833 on three lines.

 

SPECIAL IMPRINT: This sword was made in 1833 in Springfield, MA before the factory moved to the nearby town of Cabotville which later became part of the new town of Chicopee. Because the Ames foundry was not fully functional, the brass work was contracted to Sam Huse of Newburyport. In very small letters on the crossgiard is the S. HUSE Newburyport imprint. 

Sam Huse made the brass work on the Ames swords for the years 1832, 33, & 34 since Ames still did not have his brass foundry operational. Hence the Huse markings on the crossguard. In later years Ames`s son married Huse`s daughter.

 

The scabbard is a wood sheave covered with what looks like replacement black leather because of its pebbly surface. There is a brass throat band and tip which look original. A naval button has been added to the tip with a distinctive eagle and anchor. There is no frog stud.

 

Imprint, Eagle/ N.P.Ames/ Springfield

United/States/1833.

 

Condition of blade

 

CONDITION: Considering its age and use, this is a good example of a sword which was used in the field. The blade has some pitting and grey spots with minimal corrosion. All three rivets are in place. The  scabbard's original leather has been replaced. The blade is solid in its handle.

Counter guard NO leather washer

Pommel and tang

Three rivit hilt obverse and reverse

 This sword is complete and in near perfect condition. They are very scarce and should appeal to the most sophisticated collector who desires the most unusual.

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