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Crisp Ames etching on frosted background. Abuse dings on blade edge.

Ames swords will have the Ames identification on the top scabbard mount. If there is no Ames identification, the scabbard is likely a marriage.

Frosted blade with typical Ames early block style "US".

Right shows two indicators of the 1861 models.  The first is the three line inspection US/ADK/1861.  On the 1862 swords the "U.S." was dropped and the inspector initials were placed on one side and the the sword contract year placed on the other.  The second indicator is the use of the scroll Ames address on the ricasso.  This is only seen on the 1861 swords. 

  Ames M1850 Foot Officer's Sword

Dated and Inspected 1861

• Note the double Ames address that is scroll-stamped on the ricasso as well as etched on the blade.  This is only seen on the 1861 contract swords.
  
• Only 425 of these swords were delivered.
  
• The blade frosting has survived well.  These relatively fragile blade treatments seldom survived the many years and field use.  The edge of this blade shows signs of abuse.
  
• The leather scabbard on this sword is excellent.  The screw of the drag is missing.  Generally, foot officer's swords were constructed from leather as it is a considerably lighter material than sheet steel.  Weight was a major consideration in the field.  Some metal scabbards are, however, found on mounted foot officer's swords.  This makes sense given the additional wear and tear that would be encountered from being on horseback.  Staff & Field Officer's were also mounted regularly, hence it is logical that they, too, had steel scabbards.   
  
• Note the blade of the foot officer's sword is also the shorter averaging 30.5 to 31.5 inches in length.  The Staff & Field blades are regularly 32 inches in length.