Army Cutlass

[Richard E. Schenk]

I just picked up an interesting sword. It is an Ames Navy M1861-pattern Army cutlass.

In addition to the 22 -25+K cutlasses Ames made for the Navy and the Revenue Cutter Service, it also received a contact from the Army in December 1863 for 300 Navy-pattern cutlasses. These cutlasses did not have serial numbers and were marked on the obverse ricasso "U.S./A.D.K./1864". "A.D.K." is Army inspector A. D. King. These Army cutlasses were issued Col. William A. Howard's New York Volunteer Artillery Regiment's "marine artillery" units manning gun boats used on the James River and other streams. In Charles Pate's article on these swords in the December 2014 issue of "Man at Arms", he stated he was only aware of five examples of this sword, one which was sold by Rock Island Auctions in May of 2014, one in another private collection, and three in the Springfield Arsenal collection. Since then another was sold by The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg. The one I just bought would be the seventh.

The sword is rare, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's valuable. I find it very interesting, but I'm not sure just how many others really care. At just shy of $1k, I may well have paid too much. The one RIA sold in May 2014 was in better condition and had a scabbard, and it went for just about $100 more than I paid. On the other hand, The Horse Soldier example which sold in late 2015 was not as good as mine, and it went for $1400 IIRC. As they say, however, anything is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay, and by that standard I'm happy. It would be nice, of course, to realize a profit if I ever sell.

 

[mofederal]

Would these have been of the same type as carried by the men of the Mississippi Marine Brigade on the US Army Ram Fleet during the war. I do not know, but being on ships I thought they might carry cutlasses.

 

[Patrick H]

Pretty interesting!

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Would these have been of the same type as carried by the men of the Mississippi Marine Brigade on the US Army Ram Fleet during the war. I do not know, but being on ships I thought they might carry cutlasses.

The troops on the Mississippi boats would have been armed with the M1832 foot artillery swords in 1861 riveted leather scabbards. I understand virtually all the final Ames contract for M1832s went to the Mississippi Marine Brigades. The Ames cutlasses went exclusively the NY Heavy Artillery folks manning gunboats on the James and adjacent waterways.

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

The question I forgot to ask - does anyone else have or know of further examples?

 

[WJC]

Thanks for posting this. I learn so much from this forum and posts like this. My first reaction on seeing the thread title was that it was a mistake: "Army Cutlass"?

 

[Patrick H]

Thanks for posting this. I learn so much from this forum and posts like this. My first reaction on seeing the thread title was that it was a mistake: "Army Cutlass"?

That thought went through my mind, too. Not skeptically, but in surprise.

 

[WJC]

That thought went through my mind, too. Not skeptically, but in surprise.

Thanks for your response.
Nice to know I wasn't alone....

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

In addition to the 22 -25+K cutlasses Ames made for the Navy and the Revenue Cutter Service, it also received a contact from the Army in December 1863 for 300 Navy-pattern cutlasses.

I misspoke a little. The requisition was approved in December 1863, but the actual order wasn't placed with Ames until 18 January 1864. The cutlasses were delivered on 10 February.

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Rock Island Auctions just sold this purported Army cutlass for $1725

I believe there are some problems with this cutlass. The blade and markings look okay to me. The thing that strikes me, however, is that the grip has what is supposed to be the original leather and wire wrap. Although this is presumably the way they looked when received by Col. Howard's men, all the other surviving examples I have seen have had the wire removed and the leather jacked and coated in the same manner as found on most Navy cutlasses. This may, like the few Navy cutlasses found with non-modified original leather and wire grips, indicate this particular cutlass was taken out of service before the modifications were ordered. The super condition of the grip however is in quite a contrast to the rather sorry state of the blade. It makes me wonder if it isn't a rewrap. The guard also seems in virtually perfect condition. However I'm dubious. First, like the grip, it is in altogether too good of condition to have lived life with this blade. Second, although the inspector's initials are in the correct location and font, the size looks slightly off. Finally, I don't like the look of the peen. Bottom line, it looks like an authentic Army blade mated with a repro hilt, maybe one of the quality repros produced by House of Swords back in the '80s. Am I being too skeptical?

 

[JOHN42768]

Great piece of steel and brass

 

[Glen_C]

I would be surprised to see a reproduction of an Ames with the russet color grip we see here. Yet, this is way out of my league in experience with them. I would defer to folk like yourself, Roxbury and Paul Guitti of SFI. The hammer price, to me, makes me lean towards the wary did bid their experiences. A fairly premium price for a cutlass in that condition without its scabbard. Another reason to think it may have been an item for storage, never carried/used.

My Peterson #5, a sword with scabbard almost pristine and likely unissued due to a warp/grind to the spine of the blade forte. A second, just never used. Similarly a Wolfe N.Y. saber that looks like it had been on the store's shelf for 200 years. Virtually spotless.

Cheers
GC

 

[bobinwmass]

I have owned 2 of these. Bought the first one about 10 years ago from a local antique shop for $300, no scabbard, no wire, some flaking tarred leather still on the grip and a decent blade. Never heard about the scarce army contract until I researched the inspector markings afterwards. Unfortunately had to sell it a couple years later when partial layoffs from work occurred and sold some items to a dealer. Still made some money on it. When things got better the following year bought the next one I that I was surprised to find for $800 despite the condition, as I knew by then how few there are and wanted one back in my collection. As you said, it is worth what someone is willing to pay. Bought it off a well known internet sword dealer who had no idea about the army contract. Blade has some significant areas of pitting, especially around the markings on the ricasso, but it did have the scabbard. Sill have it in the collection as may never find another. Shown below. Thanks for the information as to where they were used. I have often looked for clues and never found anything. I had speculated that perhaps they could be used guarding the warehouses on the wharfs housing supplies for the army. Short and stout enough wear to wear while still standing guard with a rifle but once you fire that single shot these would be good for close quarter fighting. Now I know otherwise.

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Despite the unfortunate pitting, this is still a very nice specimens - the hilt does not appear to be dented at all and the scabbard is in pretty good shape for one of these. Most of the examples you see show a lot more wear. From what you say, this may bring the number of known survivors up to 9, although we can't discount the possibility of double counting if one of your swords was the one Charlie knew of in a collector's hands, or if the Horse Soldier example was the one you sold. At any rate, thanks for posting this.