Original Item: Only One Available. This is a particularly attractive original U.S. Civil War Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword, attributed to Ames Manufacturing Co. of Chicopee, Massachusetts, complete with a scarce Ames marked brass mounted steel scabbard and a period officer’s sword knot. The sword retains its pierced brass half basket guard, sharkskin covered grip with twisted brass wire, and custom etched blade bearing a Federal eagle and U.S. motifs. Although much of the blade etching has been lost through an earlier cleaning, the surviving decoration, Ames marked scabbard, period sword knot, and unusual steel scabbard configuration give the piece considerable collector interest.

The Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword was the regulation pattern associated principally with company grade infantry officers, including lieutenants and captains, during the Civil War period. It was distinct from the larger Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s Sword intended for field grade and staff officers. Both patterns were based upon contemporary French military sword designs and became among the most recognizable officer swords carried by Federal officers during the conflict.

This example comes in a very scarce steel & brass scabbard well-marked on one of the mounts:

AMES MFG. CO.
CHICOPEE
MASS.

Ames produced high-grade edged weapons for private purchase, and also for some government contracts. The finely crafted workmanship exhibited on all of its blades, especially its officers’ blades, was more than equal to those of the best European sword makers of the time.

The slightly curved blade of 30 inches is in fair shape, with some very faded etchings on the lower two thirds, with U.S. on one side, and the Federal Eagle on the other side. Only about 20% of the etching is still visible, much of it having been worn away when the blade was cleaned of oxidation. There is some heavy oxidation at the tip.

There is no longer a maker mark at the ricasso, but we have compared the etching of this and another Ames example we had, and it is entirely correct for an Ames-manufactured and etched blade.

The perforated hilt guard is in very good condition, still showing the original gilt finish present in the recessed areas. The grip is wrapped in sharkskin bound with twisted brass wire, which is in great shape. The blade, grip, and guard, have a slight wobble, to be expected of a sword of this age, and the blade buffer is long gone. The brass guard and pommel have developed a very pleasant rich patina over the years. The pommel is missing the top of the rivet and appears hollow, but the top of the rivet likely just broke off. This likely accounts the looseness. Attached to the guard is a great period officer’s sword knot that is still solid though fragile. It gives this example an outstanding overall look.

Condition of the sword is good, and it is offered with the original brass-mounted steel scabbard, which shows signs of honest wear and storage age, with loss of most of the gilt wash on the fittings. As shown, the scabbard is stamped with Ames’ information, showing that this is a great matching set from late in the war when they were experimenting with steel scabbards.

With its Ames marked brass mounted steel scabbard, surviving Federal eagle and U.S. blade etching, sharkskin and wire grip, traces of original gilt, period officer’s sword knot, and strong untouched brass patina, this is a particularly appealing Civil War officer’s sword despite the earlier blade cleaning and oxidation. The scarce steel scabbard significantly elevates the set beyond a standard Model 1850 Foot Officer example and makes it especially suitable for a collection focused on Civil War officer equipment, Ames edged weapons, Union Army swords, or privately purchased American military arms.

Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 30"
Blade Style: Single Edged Slightly Curved with double Fullers
Overall length: 36 1/8“
Basket dimensions: 4 ¼" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 31 3/4”