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