AMERICAN MILITIA STAFF SERGEANT'S SWORD BY AMES ca.1860

This outstanding militia sword bears a wonderful etched blade by Nathan Ames. Blade is 25" long, decorated for the first 17" with frosted panels containing brightly-polished clusters of the trademark Ames etchings. The reverse side of the ricasso is maker-marked ins scrolled script, in three vertical lines -
AMES MFG. CO.
CHICOPEE
MASS
The style, evocative of the classical vernacular, was very popular with militia officers, and this particular example is of the best quality. The details of the cross-guard and the pommel are beautifully gilded and hand-chased. I'm inclined to think, based on the decorated blade and a high quality hilt, this may have been a staff sergeant's sword.