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This Old Relic Has Been Sold Thank you! Ames M 1860 - 1862 Civil War Naval Cutlass & Scabbard      Again Authorized for CPO's Presented is an Ames Civil War M1860 cutlass, dated 1862, without the maker's imprint on the reverse ricasso or an Ames serial number, but the hilt shows extensive use.  Except for the missing maker's imprint and the lack of inspector's stamps, and serial number, this is an excellent example of this most desirable collector's sea service edged weapon having its original scabbard and throg. Confederate War M1860 cutlasses are very hard to find with an original scabbard. Most of them are either missing their scabbard or are being sold with one that is a replica. The condition of the scabbard is excellent. It has the expected marks of age, but there are no breaks or deep cracks. Thirty nine, all original copper rivets, run down the back and the last one at the tip is larger in size. The knuckle bow on the brass basket has a flange with an elliptical brass cup which acts as a hand guard. The curved guard is riveted to the flange and forms a solid half basket. The guard, grip, and mostly complete leather covering, are in very good condition as is the blade where there only are some minor small black areas. As was the custom with most  grips used at sea, the wire wrap has been removed. The wire had a tendency to break and make fish hooks which cut the skin so the sailors removed it. Other than the 1862 date, there is only what may be the rack number 26 stamped at the upper inside quillion. This rare Navy relic is a great dress uniform addition for current CPO's, as a gift, or for a collection focused on unique collectibles.                       1862 date on ricasso above the rack number on inside quillion of guard                        Three views of the basket guard showing missing wire wrap and leather loss   MARKINGS: The rack number, 26 on the inside top quillion. On the reverse there is the 1862 date on the ricasso.  There are no other markings. CONDITION: The entire hilt assembly, guard and grip are in excellent condition with only superficial marks of age over the past 150 years. The grip is unwrapped with copper wire. and is missing about 20% of its leather covering along the bottom and rear. The original varnish is mostly present.  A warm patina of age has turned the brass golden brown. The hilt and blade are tight. The leather washer is present. The scabbard is complete and has the original throg which is a rarity. Both are impossible to find if missing. The unsharpened blade is in very good condition with only some scattered blackening and pitting on both sides. The rest of the blade is bright.               Original throg and scabbard with no shrinkage and large rivet at end DIMENSIONS: Cutlass 32" long overall. 26" blade length              Max width of blade 1 3/16"   Max thickness 5/16" Fuller 3/4" W x 19 1/4" L      Weight 2 lbs 12 oz These measurements and weight exactly match those of known Ames cutlasses we have sold.  This is a complete example of an Ames Civil War Cutlass. It would be hard to find a comparable example!       The obverse blade is in very good condition with only random spotting. The reverse is similar.     AUTHORIZED FOR CURRENT NAVY CHIEFS: From the Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The chief of naval operations approved a number of uniform changes as announced in NAVADMIN 118/10 March 31. Included in the announcement is the approval of a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Ceremonial Cutlass for optional wear by E-7 through E-9s. Chief petty officers are authorized to wear the cutlass in full dress uniforms when acting as a member of an official party during a ceremony. However to ensure uniformity, all members of the official party must wear either the cutlass or the sword. Because this is an optional uniform article, Sailors are responsible for the cost of the item. BRIEF HISTORY Ames Mfg. Co.: The Ames Manufacturing Company, Chicopee, Massachusetts, was founded in 1832 by James Tyler Ames and his brother, Nathan Peabody Ames. The company manufactured small tools, cotton machinery, swords, cannons, and did casting of bells. They started production of military contract swords in 1832 with the M1832 foot artillery sword, and ended with the M1906 cavalry saber in 1906. Ames produced more swords for the American military than any other company before or since, totaling over 200,000 swords in service by the end of the Civil War. In that time, at least ten different manufacturing marks were used on the swords. A little knowledge of the company history helps place a date range for when each stamp was used. When the company started producing swords it was led by Nathan P. Ames, and most marks reflected that fact. In 1847, Nathan died and left the company to his brother James. The markings on the blades were immediately changed from N.P. Ames to Ames Mfg. Co. In 1848, the town of Cabotville was incorporated into Chicopee, Massachusetts, and the marks were once again changed to reflect this. Blades dated as late as 1850 may still bear the Cabotville stamp, as the old dies were probably used until they were worn out. In a much reduced state, they are still in business today. The Model 1860 cutlass which replaced the Model 1841 saw service during the Civil War, and through the Spanish American War. They likely were used during the early days of World War I. Based on company records, 22,000 of them were made for the Navy and 300 for the Army by  Ames in two Massachusetts plants. The design for this cutlass was copied from the French naval cutlass used from before 1800 when boarding of enemy vessels was common place. The French affectionately called it "Cuillere-a-pot" (the soup ladle) and the comparison is obvious. Mostly, from an essay by Mike McWatters SHIPPING & INSURED PACKING by FedEx Ground to the 48 contiguous States , $35.00   International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Hebrides (Vanuatu), New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI, Vanuatu (New Hebrides) and the Eastern Caribbean.   OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States if an error is due to our fault.   ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to seller, but credit cards may be accepted through PayPal for verified members by special arrangement at an additional charge. Copyright 2014 by Land And Sea Collection™. All Rights Reserved.