HIGH GRADE AMES MODEL 1850 STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD WITH UNIQUE DOUBLE PRESENTATION.

HIGH GRADE AMES MODEL 1850 STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD WITH UNIQUE DOUBLE PRESENTATION. This is an unusual Ames sword with a massive 32″ etched blade that is in nearly new condition. Sword exhibits a rare engraved sheet silver grip and highly engraved gold plated scabbard and hilt. This sword has an 1871 presentation plaque “To Captain William Strachan 9th Regimen Massachusetts Vol Militia” but the intriguing presentation is found under this plaque directly inscribed on scabbard “To Maj. H.D. Johnson Jr. 1st Reg. Virginia Brigade US Vols by his brother officers 1862”. More research needs to be done to find who Maj. Johnson was, Loyal Virginians were usually in the Western part of the state that became West Virginia in 1863. Why was this fine sword represented? That is a mystery – this cataloger cannot answer. Regardless this is an Ames rarity. PROVENANCE: Pictured in John Tillmann “Civil War Army Swords” page 286 and 287, also pictured in Kevin Hoffmann “Swords of Honor and Regulation”, Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: Sword is overall in very good to find condition. The blade is bright/white with etched panels retaining most of their orig luster with small areas of scattered staining and pitting and a few small nicks in cutting edge near tip. The sheet silver grip still has fine engraved geometric and floral designs around a central 1″ medallion with engraved eagle, interestingly holding arrows in both talons where the American eagle is usually shown with arrows for war and an olive branch for peace. The reverse side of grip has large 3″ engraved panoply of arms with several small dents. Sheet silver overall very good with dark patina in recessed areas with scattered small scratches and stains. Brass hilt with eagle in basket and eagle head quillon along with pommel retain most of their orig gilting with gold losses at high areas. High areas lacking gilt have a chocolate colored patina, as can be seen in photos. Scabbard has raised relief decoration at mounts and a large engraved panel 10-1/2″ long of floral military decoration. Scabbard retains most of its gold plating like hilt with worn areas of a chocolate to mustard patina. There is a 4-1/2″ raised relief applied floral decoration that is fit to bottom of scabbard with gap and its retaining screw is possibly replaced. 4-46918 JS68 (25,000-35,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	2021	$0.00	HIGH GRADE AMES MODEL 1850 STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD WITH UNIQUE DOUBLE PRESENTATION. This is an unusual Ames sword with a massive 32″ etched blade that is in nearly new condition. Sword exhibits a rare engraved sheet silver grip and highly engraved gold plated scabbard and hilt. This sword has an 1871 presentation plaque “To Captain William Strachan 9th Regimen Massachusetts Vol Militia” but the intriguing presentation is found under this plaque directly inscribed on scabbard “To Maj. H.D. Johnson Jr. 1st Reg. Virginia Brigade US Vols by his brother officers 1862”. More research needs to be done to find who Maj. Johnson was, Loyal Virginians were usually in the Western part of the state that became West Virginia in 1863. Why was this fine sword represented? That is a mystery – this cataloger cannot answer. Regardless this is an Ames rarity. PROVENANCE: Pictured in John Tillmann “Civil War Army Swords” page 286 and 287, also pictured in Kevin Hoffmann “Swords of Honor and Regulation”, Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: Sword is overall in very good to find condition. The blade is bright/white with etched panels retaining most of their orig luster with small areas of scattered staining and pitting and a few small nicks in cutting edge near tip. The sheet silver grip still has fine engraved geometric and floral designs around a central 1″ medallion with engraved eagle, interestingly holding arrows in both talons where the American eagle is usually shown with arrows for war and an olive branch for peace. The reverse side of grip has large 3″ engraved panoply of arms with several small dents. Sheet silver overall very good with dark patina in recessed areas with scattered small scratches and stains. Brass hilt with eagle in basket and eagle head quillon along with pommel retain most of their orig gilting with gold losses at high areas. High areas lacking gilt have a chocolate colored patina, as can be seen in photos. Scabbard has raised relief decoration at mounts and a large engraved panel 10-1/2″ long of floral military decoration. Scabbard retains most of its gold plating like hilt with worn areas of a chocolate to mustard patina. There is a 4-1/2″ raised relief applied floral decoration that is fit to bottom of scabbard with gap and its retaining screw is possibly replaced. 4-46918 JS68 (25,000-35,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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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