MAGNIFICENT CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION AMES MODEL 1860 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD PRESENTED BY SWORD MAKER JAMES T. AMES TO A CONNECTICUT OFFICER.

MAGNIFICENT CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION AMES MODEL 1860 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD PRESENTED BY SWORD MAKER JAMES T. AMES TO A CONNECTICUT OFFICER. ACCOMPANIED BY AN EARLY CIVIL WAR MILITIA EAGLEHEAD SWORD INSCRIBED FORT PULASKI. An extremely nice pair of swords identified to Lieutenant Alfred Brewster Ely who served in the 13th and 11th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.

The first sword is a Civil War period U.S. Model 1860 Staff & Field Officer’s sword presented by sword maker James T. Ames (he and his father Nathan P. Ames started the notable Ames Manufacturing Company in Springfield and, later, Chicopee, Massachusetts in 1834.). This sword is jewel-like in its manufacture and condition. It conforms to the regulations for this sword except for the fact that the folding clam shell counter guard on the reverse is plain and carries the engraved inscription: “A.B. Ely/FROM/J.T.Ames./1862.” The dbl edged straight blade is 31-1/2” long and is etched across 55% of its length. “Ames Mfg. Co. /Chicopee, Mass.” is etched near the ricasso. The hilt is cast in high relief and gold plated. The grip is of sharkskin covered wood with twisted brass wire wrap. The scabbard is of blued steel with standard regulation mounts.

The second sword is a late 1850’s American militia eagle head sword identified to Lieutenant Alfred Brewster Ely. The sword has a 30-1/4” straight single edged blade with etched patriotic decorations across 50% of its length. The cross guard is “S” shaped with two circular quillons and shield shaped langets bearing a cast American eagle. The grip is of bone with vertical ribbing and a ferrule at the base. The pommel is a Philadelphia style eagle head with a ring on its beak holding a chain guard which is fastened to the quillon below. The scabbard is of silver plated brass with engraved decorations, including a spread winged American eagle and shield. The underside of the counterguard is engraved “Ft. Pulaski April 1862.” The sword is also inscribed “A.B. Ely” on quillion.

Ely was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 13th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on November 8, 1861, resigned and was re-commissioned in the 11th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on January 16, 1862. Later the same year he joined the Adjutant General’s Department. The fancy presentation sword by J.T. Ames may have been given on account of his promotion to Captain and Assistant Adjutant General on May 15, 1862.

CONDITION: the U.S. Model 1860 Staff & Field sword is in near mint condition. It retains nearly all of its original factory finish from top to bottom. The militia sword is good; all of the cast brass furniture and the scabbard were once plated in silver which is correct for an Infantry officer’s pre-war militia sword. There remains approximately 20% of the silver plating overall. One quillon on the counterguard is bent downward; the hilt and pommel are loose. The blade has been cleaned and now has a light gray finish. Etching is good and the scabbard in undented. 4-53185, 4-53186 CW6 (6,500-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1130	$11,500.00	MAGNIFICENT CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION AMES MODEL 1860 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD PRESENTED BY SWORD MAKER JAMES T. AMES TO A CONNECTICUT OFFICER. ACCOMPANIED BY AN EARLY CIVIL WAR MILITIA EAGLEHEAD SWORD INSCRIBED FORT PULASKI. An extremely nice pair of swords identified to Lieutenant Alfred Brewster Ely who served in the 13th and 11th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. The first sword is a Civil War period U.S. Model 1860 Staff & Field Officer’s sword presented by sword maker James T. Ames (he and his father Nathan P. Ames started the notable Ames Manufacturing Company in Springfield and, later, Chicopee, Massachusetts in 1834.). This sword is jewel-like in its manufacture and condition. It conforms to the regulations for this sword except for the fact that the folding clam shell counter guard on the reverse is plain and carries the engraved inscription: “A.B. Ely/FROM/J.T.Ames./1862.” The dbl edged straight blade is 31-1/2” long and is etched across 55% of its length. “Ames Mfg. Co. /Chicopee, Mass.” is etched near the ricasso. The hilt is cast in high relief and gold plated. The grip is of sharkskin covered wood with twisted brass wire wrap. The scabbard is of blued steel with standard regulation mounts. The second sword is a late 1850’s American militia eagle head sword identified to Lieutenant Alfred Brewster Ely. The sword has a 30-1/4” straight single edged blade with etched patriotic decorations across 50% of its length. The cross guard is “S” shaped with two circular quillons and shield shaped langets bearing a cast American eagle. The grip is of bone with vertical ribbing and a ferrule at the base. The pommel is a Philadelphia style eagle head with a ring on its beak holding a chain guard which is fastened to the quillon below. The scabbard is of silver plated brass with engraved decorations, including a spread winged American eagle and shield. The underside of the counterguard is engraved “Ft. Pulaski April 1862.” The sword is also inscribed “A.B. Ely” on quillion. Ely was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 13th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on November 8, 1861, resigned and was re-commissioned in the 11th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on January 16, 1862. Later the same year he joined the Adjutant General’s Department. The fancy presentation sword by J.T. Ames may have been given on account of his promotion to Captain and Assistant Adjutant General on May 15, 1862. CONDITION: the U.S. Model 1860 Staff & Field sword is in near mint condition. It retains nearly all of its original factory finish from top to bottom. The militia sword is good; all of the cast brass furniture and the scabbard were once plated in silver which is correct for an Infantry officer’s pre-war militia sword. There remains approximately 20% of the silver plating overall. One quillon on the counterguard is bent downward; the hilt and pommel are loose. The blade has been cleaned and now has a light gray finish. Etching is good and the scabbard in undented. 4-53185, 4-53186 CW6 (6,500-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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