CIVIL WAR M 1852 AMES NAVAL OFFICER SWORD DATED 1852 & INSPECTED ONE OF 487 MADE

Description

Very Rare Ames M1852 Naval Officers Sword - 1852 Dated & Inspected One of 487 made. Leather scabbard has some age cracks, but most leather scabbards did not survive, middle and drag has a dent most likely from battle action. Great condition for age.
29" slightly curved single-edged blade. 5.5" gold gilt brass hilt with pierced guard, sea monster motif forward swept quillon and knucklebow,
USN
in ribbon on face of guard. Obverse ricasso dated 1852, reverse ricasso inspected
P / R.B.H.
Obverse blade etched with
Ames / Mfg Co / Chicopee / Mass
near ricasso as well as an anchor and shield, panoply of arms and various geometric and foliate motifs. Reverse blade etched with an American eagle, fouled anchor,
USN
in a ribbon, and various nautical motifs. Ames marked leather scabbard with gold gilt, fouled anchor mountings and sea serpent drag. This is a very scarce, maritally marked example of a USN M1852 Naval Officer's sword from the first year of production. Only 500 swords were ordered from Ames and inspected, they were subsequently issued to the 487 US Naval Officers then in service. Any inspected US military officer's sword from the 19th century is scarce, as officer's were required to purchase their own side arms and uniforms and were not generally issued swords by the government. A rare and important sword for the US Navy collector.
Ames is probably the most desirable maker amongst American sword collectors.  All things considered equal, these swords will almost certainly command a premium above their counterparts.  There is much already written about the The Ames Sword Company (herein referred to as "Ames").  In my opinion,
Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers
by John Thillman and
The Ames Sword Company 1835 - 1865
by John Hamilton, will cover most of the collector's curiosities.