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Auction archive: Lot number 67

Scarce U.S. Inspected Ames Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer's Sword

Estimate
US$2,000 - US$3,000
Price realised:
US$3,000
Auction archive: Lot number 67

Scarce U.S. Inspected Ames Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer's Sword

Estimate
US$2,000 - US$3,000
Price realised:
US$3,000
Beschreibung:

32" single-edged spear point blade, 1.16" wide, .35" thick with a 22.75" stopped primary fuller and a much narrower secondary 16.5" fuller near the spine. 6" hilt, including guard, 38" overall length. Obverse ricasso stamped "US / A.D.K." with the reverse ricasso stamped 1851. Obverse of blade etched with am 18.5" panel that starts with the three-line Ames address in an oval, reading "AMES Mfg. Co / Chicopee / Mass," followed by a panoply of arms, a spread-winged American Eagle, a banner scroll with the United States motto "E Pluribus Unum" and more foliate scrolls. Reverse of blade etched with an 18.5" panel that depicts an starburst and yucca motif at the ricasso, transitioning to crosshatches, then a panoply of arms with the Ames block style US mark as the central image, followed by another panoply of arms and foliate images. Spine of the blade is etched with a flowing foliate pattern that extends 17.5" from the ricasso. Gilt brass guard with US between the two outer branches, with a 5" wooden grip with 14 grooves, shagreen cover and 15 wraps of twisted gilt wire. Phrygian helmet pommel cap with acanthus leaf motif and inspected "JWR" to the right of the peen. Original throat washer in place. Sword is contained in what appears to be its original browned steel Ames marked scabbard with gilt brass mounts. The reverse of the upper mount is clearly stamped "AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS." No inspection marks are visible on the drag. US contract, martially inspected pre-Civil War Ames Model 1850 Staff & Field sabers are exceptionally rare with only 72 delivered in 1851 and an additional 78 delivered in 1852. An additional 229 were delivered early during the Civil War, with 59 in 1861 and 119 in 1862. Rarely do US inspected Ames Staff & Field swords appear for sale and this is wonderful example to add to your collection. Condition: Fine. Blade retains most of the original bright polish and etched panel decorations, with some surface dirt, oxidation and dried grease that would probably clean off with little effort. All markings and etched patterns remains clear and crisp. Hilt with strong traces of gilt and moderate surface oxidation. Original wrap with lower right seam in fine condition with some light wear, twisted gilt wire remains intact. Tang peen is moderately oxidized and undisturbed. Scabbard in very good, untouched condition with moderate surface oxidation showing some minor surface roughness and minute traces of brown. Upper mounts retains much of the gilt finish with clear margins, throat, middle mound and drag with less gilding present. A really lovely example of a very scarce, early production Ames M1850 Staff & Field Officer's sword, fully inspected and rarely seen for sale.

Auction archive: Lot number 67
Auction:
Datum:
30 Oct 2019
Auction house:
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Este Ave 6270
Cincinnati OH 45232
United States
info@cowans.com
+1 (0)513 8711670
+1 (0)513 8718670
Beschreibung:

32" single-edged spear point blade, 1.16" wide, .35" thick with a 22.75" stopped primary fuller and a much narrower secondary 16.5" fuller near the spine. 6" hilt, including guard, 38" overall length. Obverse ricasso stamped "US / A.D.K." with the reverse ricasso stamped 1851. Obverse of blade etched with am 18.5" panel that starts with the three-line Ames address in an oval, reading "AMES Mfg. Co / Chicopee / Mass," followed by a panoply of arms, a spread-winged American Eagle, a banner scroll with the United States motto "E Pluribus Unum" and more foliate scrolls. Reverse of blade etched with an 18.5" panel that depicts an starburst and yucca motif at the ricasso, transitioning to crosshatches, then a panoply of arms with the Ames block style US mark as the central image, followed by another panoply of arms and foliate images. Spine of the blade is etched with a flowing foliate pattern that extends 17.5" from the ricasso. Gilt brass guard with US between the two outer branches, with a 5" wooden grip with 14 grooves, shagreen cover and 15 wraps of twisted gilt wire. Phrygian helmet pommel cap with acanthus leaf motif and inspected "JWR" to the right of the peen. Original throat washer in place. Sword is contained in what appears to be its original browned steel Ames marked scabbard with gilt brass mounts. The reverse of the upper mount is clearly stamped "AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS." No inspection marks are visible on the drag. US contract, martially inspected pre-Civil War Ames Model 1850 Staff & Field sabers are exceptionally rare with only 72 delivered in 1851 and an additional 78 delivered in 1852. An additional 229 were delivered early during the Civil War, with 59 in 1861 and 119 in 1862. Rarely do US inspected Ames Staff & Field swords appear for sale and this is wonderful example to add to your collection. Condition: Fine. Blade retains most of the original bright polish and etched panel decorations, with some surface dirt, oxidation and dried grease that would probably clean off with little effort. All markings and etched patterns remains clear and crisp. Hilt with strong traces of gilt and moderate surface oxidation. Original wrap with lower right seam in fine condition with some light wear, twisted gilt wire remains intact. Tang peen is moderately oxidized and undisturbed. Scabbard in very good, untouched condition with moderate surface oxidation showing some minor surface roughness and minute traces of brown. Upper mounts retains much of the gilt finish with clear margins, throat, middle mound and drag with less gilding present. A really lovely example of a very scarce, early production Ames M1850 Staff & Field Officer's sword, fully inspected and rarely seen for sale.

Auction archive: Lot number 67
Auction:
Datum:
30 Oct 2019
Auction house:
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Este Ave 6270
Cincinnati OH 45232
United States
info@cowans.com
+1 (0)513 8711670
+1 (0)513 8718670
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