1833 Ames Short Sword w/ White buff Infantry Belt - Preview
The infantry N.C.O. version of the Model 1832 short sword. Dated 1833.
Manufactured: Springfield, Mass.
Maker: N. P. Ames
Year: 1833
Model: Model 1832
Size: 19 1/8 inch blade
Condition: Excellent+
This Model 1832 style sword is most often referred to as a "Heavy Artillery" or Artillery short sword. It is little known that this was also the N.C.O. (non-commissioned officer) sword from 1832 until it was replaced with a new regulation N.C.O. sword model in 1840. This sword has its original white buff belt and frog with the early style 1833 – 1836 Infantry double disk buckle connected by an "S" hook. The left Disk is a Federal Eagle and the right side depicts the Infantry branch of service with three muskets stacked over an infantry drum and separating a U S. The cast brass hilt is of fish scale design and attached to the blade by top peen and 3 iron rivets through the handle. There is a nearly perfect seam on the pommel showing a two piece mold was used for construction. The cross guard is clearly stamped on the underside with S. Huse / Newburyport and a single letter C. The top of the guard has the letter M. The wide blade measures 19 1/8 inch in length and 1.76 at the ricasso. It tapers and flairs to 1.8 at the widest point. It has a double fuller at the top both 3.68 in length and .42 in width. The lower fuller is 10 3/8 long and .46 in width. The blasé is marked with United / Stated / 1833 and the opposite side is stamped with a Federal Eagle over N. P. Ames / Springfield. The back seamed leather scabbard has a sheet brass throat and drag. The throat has a cast brass round frog stud and the drag has a cast brass oval at the very bottom. Both are held in place with two tiny brass pins on each side.
Figure 01.01.01.1: overview with original Infantry white buff belt
Figure 01.01.01.2: Blade markings
Figure 01.01.01.3: Federal Eagle obverse and reverse
Figure 01.01.01.4: Infantry side of the buckle, obverse and reverse
Figure 01.01.01.5: S. Huse / Newburyport marking and the letter C under the guard
Figure 01.01.01.6:
Figure 01.01.01.8:
Figure 01.01.01.9: Frog detail
Figure 01.01.01.10: Drag close-up
