| US Military Swords, Sabers, and Navy | | | | manufacturer in Connecticut. Prior to |
| Cutlasses | | | | the Civil War there was little need for |
| "Their uses then and now" | | | | US Military Swords. The US Government |
| Military swords have served as necessary | | | | purchased relatively small orders for |
| weapons for the Army's and Navy's of the | | | | swords and cutlasses during the first |
| world, for many centuries. During the | | | | half of the 19th century. These orders |
| 17th and 18th centuries, the shorter | | | | were placed with a variety of US |
| "smallsword" became an essential fashion | | | | manufacturers. |
| accessory in European countries and the | | | | Beginning with the onset of the Civil |
| New World, and most wealthy men and | | | | War, the need for Military Swords and |
| military officers carried one. Prior to | | | | Navy Cutlasses increased tremendously. |
| the First World War, these swords were a | | | | More than half the Swords made in the |
| part of military uniforms for officers | | | | United States, were made between 1861 |
| and enlisted personnel alike. | | | | and 1866. The leading Sword manufacturer |
| The first US Government contract for | | | | during this period was a Massachusetts |
| <a href=" Swords</a> was in | | | | Company, Ames Manufacturing Company. |
| 1798 and was awarded to a US | | | | |