- Joined
- Sep 8, 2009
- Messages
- 1,124
Okay, I seem to have figured out the picture attachments. I have been wanting to share some of this with y'all. As I may have mentioned, before I got into knives, I collected swords. No, not the modern replica katanas usually discussed on the forum on this site. Hence, I feel this is the actual proper subforum.
I collect antique nineteenth century American swords. I have around twenty...I haven't counted in some time. Anyway, I thought I would take a few pictures of some and post them on here and see if they interested any of you.
The first I choose is one of my favorites. This is a Model 1833 Ames Dragoon Saber. N.P. Ames was a sword maker and cutler living in Springfield, Mass., in the early 1800's. In the 1840's he and his family founded the Ames Sword Company which came to dominate sword manufacturing in the US. Prior to Ames some swords were made in the US, but the typical fashion was in import blades from Solingen and Kliengienthal and mount them here. Ames did not receive the first federal sword contract, but he was the first to make anything out of them.
Ames' first federal contract was in 1832. It was for a short artillery sword. I've owned and sold a few. But, in 1833, Congress ordered the formation of two regiments of Dragoons. At that time, the Army had no cavalry. The Dragoons were a step between infantry and cavalry, being mounted infantry. But, Congress felt the Dragoons needed swords. So, they allowed the Army to order specially made sabers. This is one.
This one was made in 1837. It is 39 inches in length with a 33 and 3/4 inch blade. It was a quill back (as opposed to the more traditional flat back). The grip is wood, wrapped with leather, wrapped with wire. The hilt is a brass half-basket.
The second picture shows the makers mark on the tang. On the obverse side of the blade in script, it says "United States" over a floral pattern.
A few officer's swords were made. Additionally, about a dozen were commissioned by the Republic of Texas for the early Texas Rangers.
Enjoy!
I collect antique nineteenth century American swords. I have around twenty...I haven't counted in some time. Anyway, I thought I would take a few pictures of some and post them on here and see if they interested any of you.
The first I choose is one of my favorites. This is a Model 1833 Ames Dragoon Saber. N.P. Ames was a sword maker and cutler living in Springfield, Mass., in the early 1800's. In the 1840's he and his family founded the Ames Sword Company which came to dominate sword manufacturing in the US. Prior to Ames some swords were made in the US, but the typical fashion was in import blades from Solingen and Kliengienthal and mount them here. Ames did not receive the first federal sword contract, but he was the first to make anything out of them.
Ames' first federal contract was in 1832. It was for a short artillery sword. I've owned and sold a few. But, in 1833, Congress ordered the formation of two regiments of Dragoons. At that time, the Army had no cavalry. The Dragoons were a step between infantry and cavalry, being mounted infantry. But, Congress felt the Dragoons needed swords. So, they allowed the Army to order specially made sabers. This is one.
This one was made in 1837. It is 39 inches in length with a 33 and 3/4 inch blade. It was a quill back (as opposed to the more traditional flat back). The grip is wood, wrapped with leather, wrapped with wire. The hilt is a brass half-basket.
The second picture shows the makers mark on the tang. On the obverse side of the blade in script, it says "United States" over a floral pattern.
A few officer's swords were made. Additionally, about a dozen were commissioned by the Republic of Texas for the early Texas Rangers.
Enjoy!
