American Swords

The Ames Company, an American swords manufacturer, began manufacturing swords for military forces of the United States between 1832 and 1906. The company manufactured more military swords than other manufacturers, totaling almost 200,000 swords at the conclusion of the Civil War. During that period, more than ten distinctive manufacturing symbols were employed on the swords. When Ames Company began making swords headed by Nathan P. Ames, majority of the symbols reflected that information. When Nathan P. Ames passed away in 1847, he left the business to James, his brother. The symbols on the swords’ blades were changed to Ames Manufacturing Company right away. During 1848, Cabotville town was included in the Chicopee, Massachusetts, and the symbols were changed once more to indicate this fact. Ames is famous for its navy swords.

Early American Swords

The first manufactured swords of the company, the M1832 foot artillery swords, were imprinted with the eagle symbol already widespread on other products. The first M1832 foot artillery swords were indicated as having been constructed in Springfield rather than in Cabotville. The M1841 cutlass is the other Ames Company sword with an imprinted eagle symbol.

The second manufacture sword of Ames Company for American military use is the M1833 dragoon saber. However, due to being a clumsy sword, it was replaced at once. The dragoon saber’s symbols seem to have been essentially imprinted into its blades, instead of being stamped.

Christopher Roby managed a productive, but brief swordmaking company between 1861 and 1867. During that time, his business constructed many civil war swords such as M1860 cavalry sabers, M1840 musician swords, M1840 NCO swords, as well as M1840 light artillery sabers. Excluding the initial sabers marketed in 1861, the symbols of Christopher Roby commonly followed two kinds. The musician sword, NCO sword, and seldom cavalry swords had a round symbol which consist the name C. Roby W. Chelmsford MS, whereas the artillery and cavalry sabers had a half-round W. Chelmsford and a linear C. Roby and Mass. The supposed 1861 print is just a line stating C. Roby. Another recognizable characteristic of the cavalry sabers of Christopher Roby is that it has two additional twists of wire wrap located on its grip, making it completely extending through its pommel. This feature is only for M1840 musician swords, which makes it likely to recognize a saber made by Christopher Roby if the symbols have disappeared. Christopher Roby also manufactured the fraternal swords and officer’s swords.

Emerson and Silver - An American Swords company

Emerson and Silver, similar to the company of Christopher Roby, was another productive swordmaking company that was short-lived during the Civil War. Emerson and Silver run between 1860 and 1865, producing M1860 cavalry swords, musician swords, light artillery sabers and NCO swords. Its light artillery sabers are supported with blades the same as of the cavalry sabers. Emerson and Silver just used two mark styles for its military contract swords. The cavalry sabers feature an arc-shaped Emerson above a linear mark Silver/Trenton/NJ, and its NCO swords feature an arc-shaped Emerson, with a mirrored-arc Silver, producing an appearance similar to a convex lens. From 1863 to 1864, Emerson and Silver also created cavalry sabers with the 1960 New Jersey style grips, with a different style of mark that can be utilized.

You can see that American swords and their manufacturer have a long and illustrious history in this country.