Civil War Swords

Nearly around 20th century swords had great influence to the authoritative officers in America and they played a primary role in Civil War. Later short swords were considered as useless weapons for gunners and they used to disembowel the overrunned horses and dispath the riders

Background:

Edged weapons such as Bayonets, sabers, swords, short swords, cutlasses, Bowie knives, pikes, and lances were used during the Civil War. They inflicted few casualties while  decorating their original possessors and to delight modern collectors.

A ligitimate weapons of the mounted service are Sabers, which are dangerous cavalry swords while used by the hands of trained troopers. It is hard to handle by volunteer horsemen at learning stage. In the early months of war, lop-eared horses were found. Scimitar-type blades of Gigantic wrist breakers were cut down from 42-inches to 36-inches to make it much effective.

Although firearms had been invented at the time of American Civil War, despite of this military swords were used for personal and close fighting. These blades were much dangerous and resulted more lethal than inaccurate rifles while in the hands of skilled swordsman. 1832-1906 was the period of the Ames Company to produce military swords and they made more than 200,000 swords after the ending of Civil War. Christopher Roby made his swords during his six years run from 1861-1867 included a line of cavalry sabers, musician swords, Non Commissioned Officer military swords and light artillery sabers.

Southern companies manufactured different models of most Confederated swords that were used by U.S Army. A large number of Confederated officers made choices of imported swords, cherished family heirlooms as well as during service in the prewar army they acquired U.S swords.

Types of Civil War Swords:

The battle ready and the ceremonial are basic two types of civil war swords. Ceremonial swords are actually existing antique swords that are commonly used for decoration or presentation purpose. Further more these swords indicates the rank or authority of the soldiers or award distinguished soldiers or officers during the war whereas battle ready swords were used to fight.
Appearance:

Curved shape blade with leather wrap grip and wound brass wire. A knuckle guard is formed as midrib of leaf shaped hand guard is stretched out towards a pommel and premium steel scabbard. More deleaneted curved blade official saber is much longer than the Field Officer’s sword and just like French model. There is no difference between Civil War Cavalry saber and artillery Officer’s saber rather than its length and less curved blade.

James Bowie was one of the heroes of the Alamo, origionated the design of knife known as bowie knives. These knives were used by Confederaed soldier in pair with sidearms. Shape of the blade of these knives was large about six to eighteen inches and performed many functions like skinning wild animals, scaling fish, whittling branches and self-defence.