August 18 & 19, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/18/2020
Lot consists of: (A) Model 1873 trowel bayonet and scabbard. Socket shows thin blue and original wood handle insert. Blade has good edges and is dull silver in tone with scattered dark gray spots on the face and some gray stained areas on the reverse with some small brown spots on either side near the tip. The scabbard is solid, with good surface and color to the leather with just some wear at the edges. The tip is missing. The belt loop shows the addition of the swivel belt loop. The belt loop shows crazing and finish loss from flexing. Often thought of as experimental, these trowel bayonets saw issue for trial by some troops on active campaign in the west. They are an interesting development in the trend for combination tools and in the army's search for a convenient entrenching tool, once they decided that digging in might offer some advantages to a soldier. CONDITION: Good to very good. (B) 1832 short sword and scabbard. Issued initially to infantry sergeants and artillerymen, this became the regulation side arm of the foot, or heavy artillery, many of whom ended up doing service as infantry in the field. During the Civil War some were used on shipboard as cutlasses, as 1 found on the USS Cairo reveals. This is a very scarce 1839 dated example bearing the "MS" stamp of the state of Massachusetts on the crossguard. 311 short swords were delivered that year by Ames for distribution to state militias. Which states got them is unknown but examples from Massachusetts and New Jersey are known. The is the standard configuration, Roman style short sword with brass hilt featuring scaled grips and an impressed eagle on the pommel faces. The blade shows clear "United / States / 1839 / WS" stamps on one ricasso and "NP Ames / Springfield" on the other. Ordnance and inspector stamps are present, though light, on the underside of the crossguard. The blade has some thin surface brown rust and gray staining, but no appreciable pitting. The edge and point are good. The scabbard shows wear, crackling, dirt and finish loss, but is solid and complete. The mounts are loose and have a dark, aged, untouched patina. CONDITION: Good to very good and will clean better. A scarce version of the U.S regulation short sword. SR
Item Dimensions: Larger: 25 - 1/4".
Blade Length
(A) 10" (B) 19"
Overall Length
(A) 15 - 1/2" (B) 25 - 1/4"