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

Foot Artillery short sword, Model 1832, N. P. Ames Springfield, 1839, contract for Massachusetts. . This pattern is stamped "MS" presuming Massachusetts. The authenticity of this pattern has been questioned. This year, 1839, is the only year marked for Massachusetts, and there seem to be a number of these swords out there with this date and stamp. The issue is that the graphic details of Ames production were very consistent, years both before and after 1839 seem to be consistent. However the details are noticably different on this 1839 stamped with Massachusetts. Even other 1839 swords, without the Massachussets mark are consistent with other years, yet different from this Massachusetts stamped sword. So could this have been a special contract for Massachusetts, in which a fresh set of dies were cut and used, or is this indeed a fake? I present the facts, the authority for it being a fake is much higher in the sword food chain than I am, so I respect this opinion. However if it is a fake it is a dammed good one, and whoever made these produced quite a few, and exhibited much higher skill than any of the other fakers. So you decide. Research Center: Weapon6110-Sword-Artillery-Model-1832-Ames-1839-Massachusetts . Details click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon6110-Sword-Artillery-Model-1832-Ames-1839-Massachusetts.html

W1106 ### Foot Artillery short sword, Model 1832, N. P. Ames Springfield, 1839, contract for Massachusetts. . This pattern is stamped "MS" presuming Massachusetts. The authenticity of this pattern has been questioned. This year, 1839, is the only year marked for Massachusetts, and there seem to be a number of these swords out there with this date and stamp. The issue is that the graphic details of Ames production were very consistent, years both before and after 1839 seem to be consistent. However the details are noticably different on this 1839 stamped with Massachusetts. Even other 1839 swords, without the Massachussets are consistent with other years, yet different from this Massachusetts stamped sword. So could this have been a special contract for Massachusetts, in which a fresh set of dies were cut and used, or is this indeed a fake? I present the facts, the authority for it being a fake is much higher in the sword food chain than I am, so I respect this opinion. However if it is a fake it is a dammed good one, and whoever made these produced quite a few, and exhibited much higher skill than any of the other fakers. So you decide. Research Center: Weapon6110-Sword-Artillery-Model-1832-Ames-1839-Massachusetts .

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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Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway, Civil War weapons, Relicman sales catalog. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html.