US FOOT ARTILLERY SWORD, MODEL1832

Here is another sword from my collection The infamous Foot Artillery Sword, one of the first things to be thrown away on a long march. This totally useless sword was once again copied after a French sword. This sword was manufactured by the Ames Manufacturing Co. of Chicopee Mass. This is an extremely heavy sword for it size the grip, cross guard, and pommel are all one piece. The cross guard has three script initials WAT for William Anderson Thorntons. The reverse side of the cross guard has the inspectors initials GGS. The grip unit is cast with what looks like eagle feathers with a US style eagle case into both sides of the pommel. the grip has three rivets holding the blade to the grip. The blade is 19” long with two broad fullers. The Ricasso has the Ames MFG. Co and Chicopee Mass and the reverse side is stamped US over GGS and under that the date 1855. The blade has no nicks and shows rust had formed on the last 2” of the end of the blade and cleaned off. The scabbard is made of leather with the two embossed lines and instead of a frog Stud has a half rectangle to accept a leather strap as was the French style. Having discussed the scabbard with several collectors the though was that this was a state militia sword. The Horstmann also made scabbards in this manor. Condition very good +++