Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This was recently discovered out of a massive collection we unearthed in El Cajon, California. Found way in the back under a pile of miscellaneous flotsam and jetsam. This is one of those ultra-rare items that one doesn’t come across very often, and we are quite pleased to offer it. As a whole, the sword is in quite good condition for being almost two-hundred years old. This was manufactured for use by staff officers of the militia, but it is not unreasonable to think it could have been used by any ranking officer of that time.
Swords of this design are pre-Civil War, rough estimated date circa 1840-1850. The cruciform-style half basket brass crossguard and chappe is in good shape, with limited patina and a much of the original gilt retained, and bears the Federal Eagle in the center of the top guard. The pommel is a cast of a medieval knight’s head and holds one end of the double chains connected to the knuckle guard. The chains are somewhat tarnished from time and exposure.
The blade is believed to be an 1834 pattern with a double-edge and thin central fuller that runs the length of the blade The steel still retains some of its original shine, with good edge and point, and lightly frosted etching. The obverse of the blade is etched with a scroll that has lovely cursive writing:
Ames Mfg. Co.
Chicopee
The blade is full of floral motifs that arise up to a pair of flags on spearhead poles, which are extremely faint, scrolling, leafy vine that is mirrored in the leaf-like sides of the end of the frosted panel. The reverse has a long floral scroll leading up to a small, vine-covered panoply of arms, above which are more floral elements and a typical Ames American eagle with an E Pluribus Unum ribbon above, with stars and sun beams above. As on the opposite side, the panel terminates with more floral scrolls and a leaf-edged end of the frosting.
Such as with the hilt components, the scabbard is made of brass, with not much of the gilt remaining, except in a few glorious spots. There is no rusting, patina or major tarnishing to the scabbard, and all of the rings and bands are intact. One side of the scabbard is set with another traditional floral and eagle motif. Sword slides in and out with absolutely no resistance. The tension throat insert is unfortunately missing the set screw and will come out.
This is truly an exceptionally rare pre-Civil war item, and something that not only isn’t seen everyday, but an item we won’t expect to have up for grabs for too long.
Dimensions:
Overall length: 38”
Scabbard length: 32 ”
Blade length: 31”
Crossguard: 5 ½”
Weight: 2 lbs. 10 ¼ oz
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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