CIVIL WAR AMES STAFF & FIELD OFFICERS SWORD/SABER W/ORIG.STEEL SCABBARD M.M /NR

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Up for Auction we have a very Scarce, Civil War Ames Maker Marked 1850 Staff & Field Officers Sword with its Original Maker Marked, Blued Scabbard. As shown above within the pics, this sword is in amazing condition with no major damage anywhere, other then where the original Soldier but the Brass Scabbard tip & filled with lead because he was short. We confirmed this with numerous civil war dealers over the years & all stated this was seen among many scabbards for shorter Soldiers. If you also refer to the Thillmann Book, u can see on page 242 where there was two different lengths of blades made for taller & shorter men which is specifically stated, & this happens to be the 32" inch blade, so makes since the scabbard would be shortened slightly if the Soldier was shorter in height. Also, when the sword is placed within the Scabbard, it fits PERFECTLY FLUSH to the Leather Disc/Guard, so please do not think there is even a 16th of an inch of a gaping as we Guarantee there is not. You can clearly see the dark Patina is original & is Uniform to the entire scabbard, as all its dings on the scabbard tip from being dragged or hitting numerous other things on a horse,battle, etc. The blade retains BEAUTIFUL Etchings on both sides which are VERY CLEAR & the blade retains very minimal to No pitting as the sword & scabbard were kept in a temp controlled environment since being passed down within the family we purchased it from. When u run your hand down the blade, u will feel NO Pitts...u can only see the very beginnings, tiny dark spots of where the pitting begun due to its age. I must say, our pics are not the best because we recently purchased a new home & moved, so I do not have our photo booth set up yet....but I do believe the pictures above will do this sword justice & the new owner is going to be MORE then thrilled with its Amazing condition. There is NO rust what so ever on the sword or scabbard. The patina is uniform throughout both pieces and both pieces are maker marked with the Ames Mfg. Co., Chicopee Mass. which is shown above. We see no inspection marks or dates on the sword or scabbard but per the Thillmann book, "Civil War Army Sword," this was common. However, on the one side of the Ricasso, we can see what appears to be a 1..its just a straight line that is very worn..so, could be a mark or ding, but when looked at with an eyeglass it appears to be a very worn out 1...& one thing is for certain...this sword was more then WELL USED during its time, so as most of you know, dates, etc on the Ricasso can be completely worn off due to the sword being drawn & pushed back in the steel scabbard. But I will note...when the sword is placed within the scabbard, there is ZERO PLAY what so ever, meaning, no wiggle side to side, etc.....so, it still has a VERY Firm and tight attachment. Does not stick when removed either. Also, most of the gold gilt has been worn off, however, when looking on the inside of the Brass Scabbard MOUNT, where the blade slides in, you can still clearly see gold gilt around the edge that didn't have much contact to the actual blade. Per the Thillmann book, "Blade etching is either in the Block "US", which generally dates in the 1850's, or the Script "US", dating after 1863. " As shown in our pics above, this blade is etched with the BLOCK "US" It also has beautiful designs as mentioned on both sides. The opposite side NOT having the Block "US" lettering has exactly this for its etchings......Ames maker mark, directly above that is a foilate design for 6 inches above the Ames Address, then to a Panoply of Arms for 3 1/2" inches, then to an Eagle 1 1/2" inches and a "E. Pluribus Unum" inscribed Banner folding into another Foliate design of 4 1/2" inches. Opposite side has the foliate to block "US" to panoply of Arms then back to Foliate. As also noted within the Thillmann book, the FOOT OFFICERS SWORDS have a Knucklebow which is spliced together midway to the Pommel & our sword has Exactly that. You can see an example in the Thillmann book on page 246. As Noted in the Thillmann book the, grip is sha... read more

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