Collection Ames Model 1840 Foot Officer Sword

[bobinwmass]

Just added this to the collection. It's not one you see very often as the regular army was relatively small in 1840's, and this sword was not well liked by the officers, thus it was replaced by the Model 1850 foot officer sword 10 years later. Usually relatively expensive due to scarcity, got this for a decent price due to the dents on the spiral grip and the graying blade. But it has a lot of gilt on the hilt, and the scabbard is great. Given the early Springfield address, this one could have seen action in the War with Mexico, though it was likely retired by the ACW.

 

[Cavalier]

@bobinwmass Very nice! Does the triangular blade make it an epee as opposed to a spadroon? Just wondering.

In any case it's beautiful! Congratulations and also, thanks for the photos.

John

 

[bobinwmass]

@bobinwmass Very nice! Does the triangular blade make it an epee as opposed to a spadroon? Just wondering.

In any case it's beautiful! Congratulations and also, thanks for the photos.

John

Actually it is a two sided blade with a long fuller on each side, virtually identical to the 1840 NCO sword but has engraving and the NCO blade typically does not.

 

[Cavalier]

@bobinwmass Thank you for the information. And it appears you got a nice leather scabbard too.

Looking at it puts me in mind of Richardson at Cerro Gordo and guys like that.

John

 

[captaindrew]

Nice!

 

[Bonedaddy]

I don't think that the blade looks that bad. Even with the dent in the handle, it is a very desirable and collectible sword. The scabbard looks to be in great shape. I like it!!

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Just added this to the collection. It's not one you see very often as the regular army was relatively small in 1840's, and this sword was not well liked by the officers, thus it was replaced by the Model 1850 foot officer sword 10 years later. Usually relatively expensive due to scarcity, got this for a decent price due to the dents on the spiral grip and the graying blade. But it has a lot of gilt on the hilt, and the scabbard is great. Given the early Springfield address, this one could have seen action in the War with Mexico, though it was likely retired by the ACW.

Although it was supplanted by the M1850 for most officers, it continued to be the regulation sword for general officers as the so-call M1851 General Officer sword. (The General Officers' version had a brass scabbard.) Here is a photo a Gen Burnside wearing a Horstmann version of the M1840/51 sword and a photo of the Horstmann version of the sword

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Another Horstmann version of the M1840/51 General Officers sword but with the Ames-style pommel.