Sword

Object Name:

Sword

Object ID:

1967.033

Creator:

Ames Manufacturing Company

Place of Origin:

Chicopee, MA

Date:

circa 1862

Description:

Sword, Medical Staff, Model 1840. 30.25" straight blade. Brass hilt. Molded oak leaf and acorn motif grip. Oval medallion with American eagle inside, on grip, obverse side. Empty oval medallion on grip, reverse side. Pineapple finial. Two leaf scrolled quillons serve as guard. Two shields between quillons. "M.S" in raised letters above 13 stars set inside leaf motif, obverse side. Reverse side shield empty. "Ames Mfg Co / Chicopee / Mass" written in script with a dry point needle on ricasso, reverse side. "U.S. Medical Staff" etched on blade, set around military trophies and floral decorations, obverse side. Military trophies, floral decoration, and American eagle with banner in mouth reading "E. Pluribus / Unum" etched on blade, reverse side.

Scabbard: Gilded brass. Two carrying rings, upper band. One carrying ring, middle band. Frog stud at throat, obverse side. Drag at tip. Scrollwork and leaf decoration engraved on obverse side. "AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS" stamped at throat, reverse side.

Material:

Metal
Tissue
Brass

Dimensions:

W-0.75 L-36.75 inches

Provenance:

Gift of Peter Woodbury Spencer. The sword was used by his great-great grandfather, Dr. George E. Woodbury of Bedford, NH, during the Civil War.

Credit Line:

Gift of Peter Woodbury Spencer

People:

Woodbury, George E. (1838-1909)

Subjects:

Armament, Swords, Military uniforms, Ceremonial objects, Civil War