1846 Ames

[1903sprfld]

I was trading for a Japanese sword today and I got this 1847 saber

in the trade ames 1857 very faint BO inspector mark most of the handel wrap is messing no nicks on the blade the scabbard is kind of crappy ant ideas on value

 

[R. Porter]

So, you got a katana and a model 1840 saber in return for? You list the saber as 1847 and 1857, which is it? What is the blade length of the katana and is it signed? (Just curious as to whether or not you made an even trade.)

 

[1903sprfld]

sorry 1847 I can not tell if it is signed because the handle has a cloth wrapped around it with English and Japanese wrtting and I do not want to remove it to get the handle off. What I can make out in English says first Lieutenant and sea swallow unit blade is 26 3/4 I traded a 1899 Krag

 

[JackADriscoll]

There are other things on a katana than just the signature. Check to see if there is a hamon which looks like a slightly different color along the edge. Check sharpness. See if a magnet sticks to it.
Just from the photo of the piece of scabbard that I can see it looks like a japanese army scabbard.

https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/military.htm#:~:text=Shin%2Dgunto%2C%20army%20officers%20swords,are%20NOT%20traditionally%20made%20swords.

Here's a good resource. I think you may have done quite well. I would have traded my krag for it

 

[R. Porter]

I would have traded my Krag too! The sword knot colors of blue and brown indicates a company level officer, if I'm not mistaken. A blade over about 24 inches long indicates a katana. There are names and parameters for every aspect of the blade and mounting. A number of officers carried old family blades in military mounts and you might easily end up with a blade made in the 14th to 18th century.

 

[scooter748driver]

sorry, maybe I'm just dense today, but you traed a Model 1840 Ames cavalry saber dated 1857 for a Japanese sword dated, 1847? Is that how I'm reasing this?

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

sorry, maybe I'm just dense today, but you traed a Model 1840 Ames cavalry saber dated 1857 for a Japanese sword dated, 1847? Is that how I'm reasing this?

If I'm reading the ops post it looks like he got the saber and the Katana for the Krag. I'm not a Katana guy. I would've have kept the 1899. Congrats to the op though if he's happy with his trade!

 

[scooter748driver]

sorry - I must have missed that. Looking now I see that he clarified on a follow-on post. Agree, I likely would have kept the Krag.

 

[bayonet]

You can get the handle on the AMES restored if you want by Tom Nardi just google Sword Restoration and go to his website. Very reasonable cost too. Or just order the wire from him and wrap the grip/handle yourself, but it looks like the leather is missing. Can't tell by the photo. I wrapped a 1860 saber with the wire he sold me (tarnish color) and I can't tell the difference matched up with my other swords. Only problem is you only have to go under the pommel once for the 1860 (which was not too difficult) but for the 1840 saber and the Artillery saber you have to go under the pommel with the wire about 3 times. Very difficult and I can't do it so I'd send it to Tom Nardi to do.