| Civil war antiques are popular with antique | | | | contracts. Cavalry sabers have an arc-shaped |
| collectors, especially Civil War swords. | | | | Emerson over a linear Silver/Trenton/NJ, as |
| | | | pictured, and NCO swords have the Emerson in |
| Civil War antique collectors may differ on | | | | the usual arc, with the Silver in a mirrored |
| which swords are the most interesting to | | | | arc, creating an appearance like a convex |
| collect. The purpose of this article is to | | | | lens. In 1863 and 1864, E&S also made M1840 |
| identify some of the major producers of Civil | | | | cavalry sabers with '60 style grips for the |
| War swords, and some facts about each | | | | state of New Jersey, with a distinct pattern |
| manufacturer. | | | | of stamp that can be used to identify these |
| | | | swords. |
| Ames Manufacturing Company | | | | |
| | | | P.S. Justice, Philadelphia, Pa. |
| This company first began producing U.S. | | | | |
| military swords in 1832 and continued until | | | | This company produced calvary sabers and |
| 1906. They produced more swords for the | | | | light artillery sabers. Both are marked P.S. |
| military than any other company, before or | | | | Justice/Philada. One marking has both lines |
| since. Ames had produced over 200,000 swords | | | | parrallel, the other has the first line as an |
| in service by the end of the Civil War. In | | | | arc, and the second as a line. |
| the 1850's Ames began putting a mark on their | | | | |
| swords that carried through the Civil War | | | | Tiffany & Co, NY |
| era. The words Made by/Ames Mfg. Co/Chicopee | | | | |
| Mass are enclosed within an unraveled scroll, | | | | Yes Tiffany's produced swords during the |
| and initials/US/date is stamped on the | | | | Civil War. They produced presentation grade |
| opposite side of the blade. This mark is | | | | officers swords and two styles of calvary |
| usually very weak and most times has been | | | | sabers. Tiffany used imported blades from |
| worn down by the scabbard. | | | | |
| | | | Peter D. Luneschloss and Schnitzler and |
| Christopher Roby, W. Chelmsford, Mass. | | | | Kirschbaum . |
| | | | |
| Roby manufactured swords from 1861-1867.The | | | | William Glaze |
| models produced were M1860 calvary sabers, | | | | |
| M1840 musician swords, M1840 NCO swords, and | | | | William Glaze was an agent for the Ames |
| M1840 light artillery sabers. Roby's marks | | | | company until 1851, when he started the |
| generally followed two forms. The NCO, | | | | Palmetto armory in South Carolina. He |
| musician, and rarely cavalry swords had a | | | | produced 2000 M1840 cavalry sabers and 526 |
| circular mark made up of the words C. Roby W. | | | | light artillery sabers in 1852. Although |
| Chelmsford MS, while the cavalry and | | | | these were all used by the Confederacy during |
| artillery sabers had a linear C. Roby over a | | | | the war, it's important to note that these |
| half-circular W. Chelmsford and a linear | | | | were all regulation U.S. models made nine |
| Mass. The 1861 stamp is presumed to be a line | | | | years before the war, and in no way should |
| saying C. Roby. One identifying feature of | | | | have the letters CSA on them. Most cavalry |
| Roby cavalry sabers is that they have two | | | | sabers are marked "Columbia, S.C." on one |
| extra turns of wire wrap on the grip, making | | | | side, and some have Wm. Glaze & Co on the |
| it extend through the pommel. | | | | other side of the ricasso. The marks on the |
| | | | artillery sabers are unknown. |
| Mansfield and Lamb, Forrestdale, RI | | | | |
| | | | Schuyler, Hartley, and Graham, New York City |
| Mansfield and Lamb was a textile and tool | | | | |
| company before the war,but became the second | | | | This was one of the largest suppliers of |
| largest domestic producer of cavalry sabers | | | | military goods during the Civil War. They |
| in the war. With seven contracts, totalling | | | | supplied weapons, uniforms, camp supplies, |
| 37,458 M1860 sabers, the company made swords | | | | uniform accessories, and a wide variety of |
| throughout the war. Their oval shaped stamp | | | | other products. They had a contract for 3424 |
| is usually very clearly struck, as opposed to | | | | cavalry swords, 567 artillery sabers, and |
| the war era Ames stamps. Unlike Ames, this | | | | 1620 NCO swords, as well as having produced |
| company only had one style of mark, as well | | | | officer swords. |
| as only one style of sword. | | | | |
| | | | These are some of the most documented |
| Emerson and Silver | | | | producers of Civil War swords. Civil War |
| | | | antique swords and weapons should be treated |
| This company produced calvary sabers, | | | | as any other antique when making a purchase. |
| musician swords, NCO swords, and light | | | | Get as much information as possible and try |
| artillery sabers. | | | | to make an informed decision before buying. |
| | | | Civil War antiques are enjoyable and |
| The company used only two stamp styles for | | | | rewarding to collectors as well as being a |
| its swords produced under federal government | | | | part of our nation's history. |