| One of the most influential wars the United | | | | military swords and light artillery sabers. When the |
| States ever participated in was the Civil War. | | | | Civil War came to an end, the company went |
| Fought on the soil of America, this fierce battle | | | | bankrupt. |
| pitted brothers and friends against each other. | | | | The second largest producer of Civil War swords |
| While firearms had already been invented, military | | | | in the United States was Mansfield and Lamb. The |
| swords were the weapon of choice when fighting | | | | company, operating out of Rhode Island, was a |
| was close and personal. This was essentially the | | | | textile outlet before the war broke out. Mansfield |
| last line of defense for a solider once every | | | | and Lamb only created one type of military |
| attempt had been made to ward off attackers | | | | swords titled the M1860 saber. |
| with canon and gunfire. This happened quite often | | | | New Jersey based sword maker Emerson and |
| during the Civil War, which contained some of the | | | | Silver had a five year run from 1860 thru 1865. |
| fiercest hand-to-hand battles in modern warfare. | | | | Records have led historians to estimate the |
| During the civil war, there was a variety of | | | | company produced nearly fifty thousand military |
| companies which manufactured military swords. | | | | swords during the war. When the fighting |
| These sharp blades were capable of inflicting | | | | stopped, the company went belly-up. |
| mortal damage, and in the hands of a skilled | | | | The Philadelphia based company P.S. Justice had a |
| swordsman, were more lethal than inaccurate | | | | catchy name and produced some fine Civil War |
| rifles and other firearms. | | | | swords. In 1861 alone, the company produced |
| There were a number of notable features a | | | | nearly 14,000 cavalry sabers and over 1,000 |
| sword had to have in order to be effective. The | | | | artillery sabers. |
| first was, of course, strength of blade. This usually | | | | Collins & Co. was another small time producer of |
| meant forging carbon steel, which held up well in | | | | light military swords during the Civil War. It is |
| hand-to-hand combat. Additionally, a good sword | | | | estimated they produced less than 3000 swords |
| had to have a sharp blade and point. Again, carbon | | | | total, more than 1000 of which were musician |
| steel was usually the metal of course, as it could | | | | swords. |
| be shaped more easily than iron. | | | | Tiffany & Co is one of the flagship jewelry stores |
| Another important feature a military sword of the | | | | in modern day New York City. When you walk in |
| period had to have, was a hand loop to protect | | | | and see the amazing assortment of gems it is |
| the fingers during close fighting and also to | | | | strange to consider the same company once |
| prevent losing military swords during hard strikes. | | | | fashioned military swords for heavy fighting in the |
| Below, I have listed some of the notable | | | | Civil War. The company created high-quality |
| manufacturers of military swords during the Civil | | | | officer swords and two different cavalry sabers. |
| War, each of which incorporated these elements | | | | Another unlikely manufacturer of swords was the |
| into a given type of sword: | | | | State of Massachusetts, which actually generated |
| The Ames Company produced military swords | | | | a small amount of sabers, which still bear that |
| from 1832 thru 1906. By the conclusion of the | | | | mark. These swords were marked with the initials |
| Civil War, this company had produced over | | | | MS; however, it is important to note that some |
| 200,000 swords. Nathan P. Ames started the | | | | models of Ames Swords also bear this mark, |
| company and marked the manufactured blades | | | | even though they were not manufactured by the |
| with N.P. Ames. After his death, his brother James | | | | State of Massachusetts. |
| changed the markings to Ames Mfg. Co. If you | | | | If you are a sword collector, you will want to |
| see an actual Civil War sword today (or purchase | | | | check out some of these models, as they are |
| a replica) it will more than likely will have Ames | | | | the most famous survivors of the American Civil |
| markings, which means it is or is modeled after | | | | War. Chances are, if you have at least a small |
| the original Ames line of swords. | | | | collection already, you probably have at least one |
| Sword maker Christopher Roby was in business | | | | or two of these blades at your home. An easy |
| from 1861 thru 1867. During his six year run, | | | | way to identify them is through the marking on |
| Roby churned out a line of cavalry sabers, | | | | the sword or scabbard, which will bear the name |
| musician swords, Non Commissioned Officer | | | | or symbol of the creating company. |