RARE AMES US Insptd M1850 S&F Officers Sword, Type 1 1851 dated ADK & JWR inspec complete w Scabbard & Knot Start Price USD 2,500.00 Current Price USD 2,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 4,000.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 27, 2008 End Time Thursday, December 04, 2008 Location Stanley, VA See more about 'RARE AMES US Insptd M1850 S&F Officers Sword, Type 1 ' Description Exceptionally Rare, This item sold eight days ago, but the buyer Will Lansford, never responded to invoices, or inquiries & it was reported by two other eBayers that he was in the habit of bidding without intention of buying. Unfortunately since negative feedback can't be given to buyers anymore; eBay has removed the ability of sellers to have any way to censure dead beats. The buyer, will2live303 (willlansford@rocketmail.com) is reported by eBay as "no longer a registered user". No telling what his user name is now......   Original  N.P. AMES CONTRACT, U.S. Government Inspected & Purchased U. S. MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER'S SWORD  An original, very desirable, extremely rare & early Ames manufactured U.S. Government inspected & purchased  Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer's Sword with Original Scabbard & Original Sword Knot. These Type 1 Ames Staff & Field swords are not only rare, but extremely difficult to find. Two contracts were let , one in 1851 and one in 1852 with only 150 made in total. Because of their history of long use, this model exhibits an extremely high attrition rate. The U.S. Government purchased these swords directly from Ames & Staff & Field Officers were expected to purchase them from the Government agent. As stated by John H. Thillmann in his landmark book,  Civil War Army Swords, on page 272: "The 1851-dated and inspected swords would have been in the Army for at least 10 years prior to hostilities breaking out in April of 1861. Even if they were not used on the frontier, they would show obvious signs of wear to the gilt finish or all of those small nicks and dings that accumulate over time when a sidearm / badge of rank is worn for 10 or more years. These 1851-dated Staff & Field swords have gone through significant attrition and because of the small number originally made are therefore just not available in museum or private collections" The blade with an overall length of 31-3/4" & width of 1-3/8" at hilt, and is 5/16" thick ( 5/8" is listed, but that is a misprint according to John Thillmann) shows signs of erosion on the obverse, much like what is referred to as "blood-pitting". Only traces of the original Ames etching remains, but the "U.S. / A.D.K." are quite clear. The reverse, while also somewhat eroded, has much original Ames etching remaining, although the block "U.S." is difficult to see. The sunburst, crosshatching, panoply of arms, and florals are all discernable. The "1851" date is clear & was deeply struck. The blade back is etched in foliate ( laurel leaves) for @ 17". The point comes to the early spear point & the edge is sharp. The hilt retains much of its original gilt, with most wear on the outer guard branches and on the pommel. The Staff & Field Officer's guard shows the high quality, extra-fine detail observed in these early Ames products. The pommel is nicely inspected with: "J.W.R." ( James Wolfe Ripley, Superintendent of Springfield Armory & Contract Arms Inspector ) & "A.D.K." ( Alfred D. King {erroneously listed as Andrew in some listings}, Armory Sub-Inspector ) on each side of the tang. The Gilt-Brass tang cover, appropriate for the Type 1 S&F swords has long ago been lost and only a somewhat battered steel tang remains. The gilt brass wire wraps start on the reverse and 15 turns of wire are visible on the obverse. The grip seam is on the bottom with high grade sharkskin wraps. The double stand  of single and tightly twisted small gauge wire probably replaced the original heavy gauge 16 twists/inch wire.  The 32-7/8" scabbard has about  1/2" missing because of the extreme wear to the drag. No scribe line appears on the drag crest, but does appear on the drag mount. No inspector's initials are present, except possible the remnants of an "A" where the drag was ground off ( wishful thinking ). The upper mount is 2-3/4" in length, the middle mount is also 2-3/4" and the bottom mount would have been @ 6-1/2". All mounts have rounded top edges. The scabbard throat is a banded trumpet. "AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS"appears on the reverse side of the top mount parallel to the edge. No original brown finish remains on the scabbard, unless there remains some beneath the mounts. The scabbard body now exhibits a very pleasing grey patina. The sword fits the scabbard tightly & well. The overall weight is @ 3.75 lbs. The original Sword Knot remains and is in excellent shape with little signs of wear, but some soiling. This is a really striking example of this rare and much sought after Ames U.S. Contract Sword, the type utilized throughout the 1850's on the frontier and carried by many high-ranking Union & Confederate Officers into and throughout the Civil War. Guaranteed to be original & as described...A really wonderful, representative piece!! Place a Bid!