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Scarce U.S. Ames 1864 Army Contract Naval Cutlass

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:475.00 USD Estimated At:950.00 - 1,300.00 USD
Scarce U.S. Ames 1864 Army Contract Naval Cutlass
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Scarce U.S. Ames 1864 Army Contract Naval Cutlass

Essentially identical to the enlisted cutlasses that were supplied to the United States Navy by Ames, this cutlass is part of a single order for 300 that was made by Brigadier General George Ramsay, U.S. Army Chief of Ordnance in 1864. Archival records indicate that the order was placed January 18, delivered to a Colonel Thornton on February 10, and paid for on the 17th. The paper trail ends there; no record exists of the reason for the order, or where they went after the Colonel accepted them. 32 inches overall, with a 26 inch curved single fuller blade, marked "U.S./A.D.K./1864" on the right ricasso, as opposed to the "USN/DR" inspector stamp on Navy blades of the same era. Brass hilt with riveted basket guard and helmet pommel, with a leather wrapped ribbed grip. With a copper riveted black leather sheath.

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Very good. The blade shows a dark aged patina, with mild spotting, a small amount of pitting and a very straight spine. A well aged patina is also present on the hilt, with the grip wire absent and some sections of exposed wood. The sheath has been repaired, with glued segments, a black rubber coating applied over the tip, and a number of cracks and cuts.