Question

[Fredwanda]

Hello , I'm brand new to the group . I am also brand new to collecting civil war relics . A few years ago I went to the National fire academy in Emmitsburgh and got to visit Ghettysburgh in the process . I've been hooked since then . Recently I've been able to acquire some civil war goodies at yard sales from live ammunition and a U.S. buckle . This group seems extremely knowledgeable about the civil war and I'm hoping for a bit of help. I have a chance to acquire this sword and I'm questioning whether it is the real deal or not . Any help would amazing and much appreciated . It's being advertised as an 1864 Ames , MM inspector initials , Chicopee mass , and I know there's a million replicas out there , I've tried to research this but so far I cannot decipher if it is in fact real ….

 

[R. Porter]

It looks ok to me, but I'm not an expert. An image looking straight down on the pommel would be helpful. There should be inspectors initials on the band that runs around the top of the cap. The appearance of the top of the cap will help let you know if the hilt has been removed from the blade at some time. If it has been that isn't necessarily a bad thing since these swords had grips replaced and other maintenance performed during the war. It was also the regulation troopers' sword into the 20th century and may have had maintenance at any time during its service history.

 

[bankerpapaw]

Hello , I'm brand new to the group . I am also brand new to collecting civil war relics . A few years ago I went to the National fire academy in Emmitsburgh and got to visit Ghettysburgh in the process . I've been hooked since then . Recently I've been able to acquire some civil war goodies at yard sales from live ammunition and a U.S. buckle . This group seems extremely knowledgeable about the civil war and I'm hoping for a bit of help. I have a chance to acquire this sword and I'm questioning whether it is the real deal or not . Any help would amazing and much appreciated . It's being advertised as an 1864 Ames , MM inspector initials , Chicopee mass , and I know there's a million replicas out there , I've tried to research this but so far I cannot decipher if it is in fact real ….

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Welcome from NW Georgia

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. MM are the initials of Miles Moulton an inspector

 

[JOHN42768]

https://www.americanswords.com/sword-identification.html Some good basic info in general

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Welcome to the group!

 

[bayonet]

Looks good to me but what is the asking price? Some online dealers have fake pages to assist you such as Arizona Swords or AZSwords.com and I think Relicman does too.

 

[Sundance]

Welcome to the forum. A lot of smart people here. Some or all of the Ames Manufacturing buildings are still up in Chicopee. I can't remember whether they are commercial or residential or both.

 

[redbob]

Welcome to the group from middle Alabama and a person who also had the opportunity to attend the National Fire Academy.

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. Nice looking Ames, just a few things. There should be inspectors initials on the pommel and check the scabbard drag as it should have inspectors initials as well.

 

[scooter748driver]

Welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums.

 

[bayonet]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. Nice looking Ames, just a few things. There should be inspectors initials on the pommel and check the scabbard drag as it should have inspectors initials as well.

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Unless the drag is worn down. I have two M1860s dated 1859. One the drag is worn down from being "dragged". Guess the poor guy lost his horse and had to walk the rest of the war. So no initials. The other I had to take a magnifying glass to due to age and spotted the bottom part of the inspectors initials.

 

[bayonet]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. Nice looking Ames, just a few things. There should be inspectors initials on the pommel and check the scabbard drag as it should have inspectors initials as well.

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Ok here is a question I remember reading about. If a State made a purchase of these swords and not the federal government then there would be no inspector initials on the sword or scabbard. True? Have a AMES artillery sword that Connecticut purchased with no inspector initials but has numbers stamped all over instead of letters.

 

[52ndFandS]

Hello from Pennsylvania.