Collecting Civil War Antique Swords

By: William Davis

Civil war antiques are popular with antique collectors, especially Civil War swords.

Civil War antique collectors may differ on which swords are the most interesting to collect. The purpose of this article is to identify some of the major producers of Civil War swords, and some facts about each manufacturer.

Ames Manufacturing Company

This company first began producing U.S. military swords in 1832 and continued until 1906. They produced more swords for the military than any other company, before or since. Ames had produced over 200,000 swords in service by the end of the Civil War. In the 1850's Ames began putting a mark on their swords that carried through the Civil War era. The words Made by/Ames Mfg. Co/Chicopee/Mass are enclosed within an unraveled scroll, and initials/US/date is stamped on the opposite side of the blade. This mark is usually very weak and most times has been worn down by the scabbard.

Christopher Roby, W. Chelmsford, Mass.

Roby manufactured swords from 1861-1867.The models produced were M1860 cavalry sabers, M1840 musician swords, M1840 NCO swords, and M1840 light artillery sabers. Roby's marks generally followed two forms. The NCO, musician, and rarely cavalry swords had a circular mark made up of the words C. Roby W. Chelmsford MS, while the cavalry and artillery sabers had a linear C. Roby over a half-circular W. Chelmsford and a linear Mass. The 1861 stamp is presumed to be a line saying C. Roby. One identifying feature of Roby cavalry sabers is that they have two extra turns of wire wrap on the grip, making it extend through the pommel.

Mansfield and Lamb, Forrestdale, RI

Mansfield and Lamb was a textile and tool company before the war,but became the second largest domestic producer of cavalry sabers in the war. With seven contracts, totaling 37,458 M1860 sabers, the company made swords throughout the war. Their oval shaped stamp is usually very clearly struck, as opposed to the war era Ames stamps. Unlike Ames, this company only had one style of mark, as well as only one style of sword.

Emerson and Silver

This company produced cavalry sabers, musician swords, NCO swords, and light artillery sabers.

The company used only two stamp styles for its swords produced under federal government contracts. Cavalry sabers have an arc-shaped Emerson over a linear Silver/Trenton/NJ, as pictured, and NCO swords have the Emerson in the usual arc, with the Silver in a mirrored arc, creating an appearance like a convex lens. In 1863 and 1864, E&S also made M1840 cavalry sabers with '60 style grips for the state of New Jersey, with a distinct pattern of stamp that can be used to identify these swords.

P.S. Justice, Philadelphia, Pa.

This company produced cavalry sabers and light artillery sabers. Both are marked P.S. Justice/Philada. One marking has both lines parallel, the other has the first line as an arc, and the second as a line.

Tiffany and Co, NY

Yes Tiffany's produced swords during the Civil War. They produced presentation grade officers swords and two styles of cavalry sabers. Tiffany used imported blades from
Peter D. Luneschloss and Schnitzler and Kirschbaum .

William Glaze

William Glaze was an agent for the Ames company until 1851, when he started the Palmetto armory in South Carolina. He produced 2000 M1840 cavalry sabers and 526 light artillery sabers in 1852. Although these were all used by the Confederacy during the war, it's important to note that these were all regulation U.S. models made nine years before the war, and in no way should have the letters CSA on them. Most cavalry sabers are marked "Columbia, S.C." on one side, and some have Wm. Glaze and Co on the other side of the ricasso. The marks on the artillery sabers are unknown.

Schuyler, Hartley, and Graham, New York City

This was one of the largest suppliers of military goods during the Civil War. They supplied weapons, uniforms, camp supplies, uniform accessories, and a wide variety of other products. They had a contract for 3424 cavalry swords, 567 artillery sabers, and 1620 NCO swords, as well as having produced officer swords.

These are some of the most documented producers of Civil War swords. Civil War antique swords and weapons should be treated as any other antique when making a purchase. Get as much information as possible and try to make an informed decision before buying. Civil War antiques are enjoyable and rewarding to collectors as well as being a part of our nation's history.

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

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