Ames Artillery Officer for South Carolina Type 1, silvered - Preview
Rare Ames with Silver foil covering the guard, pommel and scabbard that was made for the state of South Carolina. State seal engraved on the scabbard.
Manufactured: Springfield, Mass.
Maker: N.P. Ames Cutler
Year: Pre-War
Model: M1840 artillery Officer
Size: 31.25 inch blade
Condition:
This type 1 Artillery Officer sword was made foe a South Carolina Officer. The state Seal of the Palm tree is engraved on the silver foiled, brass scabbard, The guard and pommel also have heavy silver. The grip is leather and wound with silver, twisted wire wrap. The blade is etched with N.P. Ames / Cutler / Springfield, a stand of arms with a federal shield, cannons, 2 American flags and a liberty pole.Foliate follows with a Federal Eagle with E. PU ribbon, rays and foliate. The reverse has foliate, ancient arms, a large and fancy U.S., a full standing Tecumseh with ax and more foliate. Silver plate or silver foil was a favored practice of southern militia units. Foot officer and Staff officer swords with brass scabbards are rare but the Artillery officer is never seen.
Figure 01.01.52.1: Silver foil over the guard and pommel. Silver wire wral of twisted style
Figure 01.01.52.2: Silver foil over engraved brass scabbard with South Carolina state seal (top)
Figure 01.01.52.3: Hilt detail
Figure 01.01.52.4: Type I with recess for scabbard made with just a retaining spring and no throat
Figure 01.01.52.5: Ames blade etch
Figure 01.01.52.6: Front and reverse overview
Figure 01.01.52.7: Ames Eagle blade etch
Figure 01.01.52.8: Tecumseh and maker mark
Figure 01.01.52.9: U.S. in sunburst
Figure 01.01.52.10: ID scratched into scabbard