1865 Ames Calvary Markings

[JimN]

Is this a spurious marking over the Ames mark? The "C ALA 13."?

 

[bobinwmass]

Most likely, especially given the 1865 date. Most 1865 dated swords probably weren't delivered until after the war ended.

 

[UCVRelics]

Is this a spurious marking over the Ames mark? The "C ALA 13."?

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Total Fake Job.

 

[Badgercwcollector]

Total Fake Job.

Question . Is the sword fake or just the stamping's ?

 

[JimN]

Total Fake Job.

The whole sword or just the fake stamping?

 

[JimN]

Most likely, especially given the 1865 date. Most 1865 dated swords probably weren't delivered until after the war ended.

So someone says "a total fake job." Do you think the sword is authentic but with a bad stamping? Or do you think the whole sword is suspect?

 

[bobinwmass]

So someone says "a total fake job." Do you think the sword is authentic but with a bad stamping? Or do you think the whole sword is suspect?

Usually like to see more pictures, especially the entire hilt and pommel tang (which usually has another set of inspector initials). But from what I can see with these 2 limited photos, the saber itself looks correct to me. G.W.C. is a known inspector for late dated sabers, the banner style Ames maker mark was one of those used on later sabers, and the later sabers used a larger date stamp as compared to the letters above it.

 

[Badgercwcollector]

So someone says "a total fake job." Do you think the sword is authentic but with a bad stamping? Or do you think the whole sword is suspect?

I " ain't" no expert but maybe a re-enactor stamped it for identification purpose . lol If I was to use a REAL sword for re-enacting I would use a 1865 year as it may have never been issued. The brass looks old but ..... I have Brassitis I don't trust CW brass items . JMHO

 

[UCVRelics]

The whole sword or just the fake stamping?

Its hard to see the Ames stamp and a better photo is needed but it does look like it could be an original Ames mark.

 

[JimN]

Heres a few more pics. I appreciate you guys taking the time to respond.

 

[JimN]

End of the iron scabbard

 

[bobinwmass]

I do believe the saber is good. Maker mark looks good and J.C.W. is known to be an inspector in 1865. The initials on the scabbard look funky to me though.

 

[UCVRelics]

Heres a few more pics. I appreciate you guys taking the time to respond.

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Sword looks right as rain. The scabbard should be marked JCW

 

[JimN]

Sword looks right as rain. The scabbard should be marked JCW
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So do you think the scabbard never belonged to the sword? Maybe a mis-match? Or a bad scabbard altogether

 

[UCVRelics]

I really can't make that call from the photo you posted of the scabbard. Post the rings and the throat photos would help.

 

[bobinwmass]

I suspect scabbard may be a repro, and that may be why someone felt okay putting the fake marks on the saber. But as @ucvrelics says, photos of the rings and throat will help determine.

 

[Bonedaddy]

I believe that the saber itself is an authentic Ames model. Someone added the spurious ALA marking to probably make it appear to have been issued to an Alabama (Confederate) cavalry unit. Not sure about the scabbard. Need more pictures of it. The saber and the grip looks to be in very good condition, except for the fake markings.

 

[JimN]

Here's some pics of the scabbard. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[redbob]

Good sword, bad fakery.

 

[James N.]

Here's some pics of the scabbard. Thanks for everyone's input.

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Note the closeness of the rings on the scabbard - this is for the short-lived Ames M.1906 saber. Your saber is genuine and correct except for the spurious ALA markings as described above, but the scabbard is a replacement, though genuine for a M.1906.