Non-regulation French m1821 infantry officer's sword. Chicopee, Mass.: Ames Mfg. Co., ca. 1850-1870. Acid-etched with maker's mark "Ames Mfg Co / Chicopee / Mass". Overall approx. 37 in., blade approx. 29 15/16 in. long.

In Civil War Army Swords, Ben Thillmann offers the following insight: "The Ames example of the Model 1821 French Infantry Officers' appears, upon examination, to be a Model 1850 Foot Officers' sword with the guard cut out ... Instead of designing a brand new guard, Ames simply used the Model 1850 and made slight adjustments to the mold." (415). This is evidenced by the second branch, a feature of the m1850 foot officer's that distinguishes m1821 swords manufactured by Ames from others produced in the U.S. and abroad. 

The blade is conspicuously absent a "US"; it's been suggested that these swords may have been retailed to Northern and Southern militias prior to the war, whose state-centricity would not have warranted the decidedly national symbol. Their presence in the South may have provided stylistically similar Confederate examples, such as those produced by Boyle & Gamble, with a template to work from. 

Complete in a French-styled leather scabbard, absent distinct bands to its brass mounts, with a clear "Ames Mfg. Co. / Chicopee / Mass" to the throat. The blade is overall toned slightly dark and the fairly-shallow etchings include a Phrygian Cap-topped Liberty Pole and an eagle with an "E Pluribus Unum" ribband. The tight brass hilt elements have taken on a muted patina, warmer in places, and the original leather grip, twisted wire wrap, and buff leather washer remain in fine condition. 

Resources: 

Thillmann, John H. Civil War Army Swords: A Study of U.S. Army Swords from 1832 through 1865. Woonsocket, Rhode Island: Andrew Mowbray Publishers, 2008. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

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