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US M1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD BY AMES.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,600.00 USD
US M1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD BY AMES.
Overall length: 38”. Blade length: 30 3/4". This sword is not personalized, but family history states that it was carried by Joseph H. Pratt of Company E 26th Illinois Infantry. Pratt was promoted to the rank of Captain on May 24, 1865 and left military service on July 20th of that same year. Blade has a single wide fuller plus a secondary fuller near the spine. Etching extends over the first 21” of the blade & includes various foliate motifs along w/ sprays of arms, an eagle & lg. “US”. There is an etched mark near the ricasso that reads “Ames Mfg Co Chicopee Mass”. Gilded brass hilt w/ pierced guard & pendulous downturned quillon. Knuckle bow has some embellishments as it enters the pommel. The pommel is adorned w/ leaves & a flower having a stepped top. Wire-wrapped sharkskin grip. Gilded brass mounted, blued scabbard. The top mount is marked “AMES MFG. CO. CHICOPEE MASS”. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a large archive of paperwork supporting the history of the sword, along w/ mustering roles for Captain Pratt. CONDITION: the blade shows substantial original factory polish w/ crisp & frosty etching. The hilt retains nearly all of its original gilded finish. Grip & wire are complete. Gilding on the scabbard mounts is about 40%. Blued finish shows only minor blemishes. (02-21240/BF). $1,200-1,600.