Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
	Civil War Weapons, all pre 1898
	by Harry Ridgeway

Staff and field officer sword, Model 1850, Ames. . The model 1850 staff and field officer sword was intended for higher officers, these officers received a pay allowance but made their own purchase decision, hence there is a great deal of variation in officer swords. This sword was manufactured by Ames Manufacturing Co, Chicopee Massachusetts, and is one of the earliest produced. The model 1850 guard is adorned and bears US. Manufactured by Ames Manufacturing Co, Chicopee Massachusetts. Marks: ricasso is hand engraved in script Ames / Mfg Co / Chicopee, later versions were stamped or etched. Scabbard stamped AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS. Blade length, 31in. Standard features include: iron scabbard, which was apparently laquered, with brass mountings, a throat, middle ring, and drag. Handle is sharkskin wrapped with wire. Blade is etched with mostly floral designs, later designs bore patriotic symbolism and US, but not this early pattern. Research Center: Weapon5112-Sword-Army-Officer-Staff-Model-1850-Ames . Reference: Thillmann Army Swords pg. 242. Details click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon5112-Sword-Army-Officer-Staff-Model-1850-Ames.html

W1381 ### Staff and field officer sword, Model 1850, Ames. . The model 1850 staff and field officer sword was intended for higher officers, these officers received a pay allowance but made their own purchase decision, hence there is a great deal of variation in officer swords. This sword was manufactured by Ames Manufacturing Co, Chicopee Massachusetts, and is one of the earliest produced. The model 1850 guard is adorned and bears US. Manufactured by Ames Manufacturing Co, Chicopee Massachusetts. Marks: ricasso is hand engraved in script Ames / Mfg Co / Chicopee, later versions were stamped or etched. Scabbard stamped AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS. Blade length, 31in. Standard features include: iron scabbard, which was apparently laquered, with brass mountings, a throat, middle ring, and drag. Handle is sharkskin wrapped with wire. Blade is etched with mostly floral designs, later designs bore patriotic symbolism and US, but not this early pattern. Research Center: Weapon5112-Sword-Army-Officer-Staff-Model-1850-Ames . Reference: Thillmann Army Swords pg. 242. Grip has sharkskin wrap and wire intact, leather washer intact, handle has slight wiggle typical of most officer swords, nice engravings, maker marks are strong, scabbard intact, Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia.

This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

All weapons listed on this webpage are strictly manufactured before 1898, and are considered unsafe for actual use. These are antique collectible weapons of the Civil War (most are pre 1865, unless I state otherwise) and actual firing of these weapons is not recommended for any purpose whatsoever! Because these are all "pre 1898" weapons, no licenses are required for ownership, but common sense and good judgment should be applied.

Most information on this page is from:
Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms......
John Thillman series, "Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers...", or "Civil War Army Swords....".

Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War Weapons Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html. Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html.

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