
This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in
Lot 5118
A militia staff officer's sword by Ames Mfg. Co.circa 1848-60
11 June 2012, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoSold for US$1,170 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Arms and Armour specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot


Client Services (San Francisco)
A militia staff officer's sword by Ames Mfg. Co.
circa 1848-60
circa 1848-60
Straight 31 inch double edged blade with 13 inch central fuller and 19 inch panel etched and engraved with florals; one side with Federal eagle and panoply of arms, the other with stand of American flags and maker's markings Ames Mfg. Co./Chicopee/Mass. Gilt brass hilt, the spread eagle guard with shell-form finials; double chain guard;ferrule molded with foliage; helmet-form pommel. Mother-of-pearl gripscales. Gilt brass scabbard engraved with panels of leaves and acanthus.
Condition: Blade with grey metal showing areas of light spotting and generally clear decoration. Hilt retains 85% plus gilt finish. One gripscale with very minor chipping. Scabbard with 30-40% gilt finish and showing scattered dents.
See Illustration
Condition: Blade with grey metal showing areas of light spotting and generally clear decoration. Hilt retains 85% plus gilt finish. One gripscale with very minor chipping. Scabbard with 30-40% gilt finish and showing scattered dents.
See Illustration
Footnotes
Note: The style generally dated 1840-60, Ames changed the blade markings to Chicopee in 1848 after the town of Cabotville was incorporated into Chicopee, see page 67, American Swords and Sword Makers, Richard H. Bezdek.








