CONFEDERATE STATES NAVY Civil War Officer's Cutlass With Scabbard & Throg!                                5 Star Condition   DIMENSIONS: Cutlass 32" long overall. 26" blade length Max width of blade 1"  Max thickness 1/4"    Fuller 3/4" W x 15 1/2" L      Weight 2 lbs 12 oz. in scabbard   Presented is a Civil War, M1860, dated 1862, cutlass with incised 1" x 3/8" "CSN" lettering on the guard that stands for Confederate States Navy.  It is an unusual variation of the mainstay cutlass used by the Union Navy from 1860 into the 20th Century. The weapon has its original scabbard with throg. There are other examples of this style cutlass appearing on the internet, but there is no known documentation that it was made by Ames. The condition of the scabbard is excellent with some minor surface loss and cracking, but there are no breaks or deep cracks. There are 55 copper rivets running down the back.  The knuckle bow has a flange which accepts an elliptical brass cup which acts as a hand guard. The curved guard is riveted to the flange and forms a solid half basket guard. The guard, grip, leather covering, and wire wrap are near perfect.  The blade has a mottled grey finish interspersed with areas of polished nickel.          Various sections of the CSN M 1860 cutlass blade and scabbard                          Carefully incised CSN with outlines                  Tightly wrapped two strand wire. Outline engraving CONDITION: In addition to that which was explained elsewhere, the entire hilt assembly, guard and grip are in excellent condition with only superficial marks of age over the past 154 years. The grip is wrapped in two strand copper wire. The original gold wash is mainly present with some loss due to aging. A patina has turned the uncovered brass golden. The hilt and blade are tight. The leather washer is missing. The scabbard is complete and has the original throg which is a rarity. Both are impossible to find if missing.  There is some minor loss of leather and cracking. The blade is has large areas of blackening with some polished nickel present. There is no pitting.                  Maker's stamp over inspector's stamp and date   MARKINGS: All are sharp and distinct. On the obverse is the Ames Mfg Co. with Chicopee, Mass on three lines. On the reverse there is the inspector's initials over the 1862 date on the ricasso. There are no other markings.                Top of pommel showing peened tang.   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. Additional details on the final design and manner of wear of the cutlass will be released in a future Navy message. 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 STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING, INSURANCE & PACKING to 48 contiguous States, $60.00 OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges within the continental United States are  included in this offer if the error is due to our fault.  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. 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 by arrangement at extra cost. This is a complete example of an Confederate Naval Officer's Civil War Cutlass which will be hard to duplicate! Copyright 2016 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved