[wildbill25]

I'm new to this forum and could use some help. I recently purchased an original Model 1860 Naval Cutlass manufactured by the Ames Manufacturing Company. My knowledge of these weapons is minimal at best but I believe it is correctly marked with the manufacturers hallmark at the ricasso on one side of the blade and an anchor / U.S.N. / D.R. / 1862 on the opposite side. The notation 17M/887 is stamped on the guard which I believe stands for serial number 17,887. If this number is in fact the serial number, can anyone tell me if they know of any records or literature listing by serial number where these weapons where shipped after they left Ames? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Trenchwarfare]

Welcome aboard. Have you tried Ames? They're still in business making garden tools, and special order swords. As far as I last checked. It's been a few years.

 

[Joe Turner]

wildbill25,
Over the years I have owned 3 Ames manufactured navy cutlasses-none were serial numbered although there were a small variety of numbers and letters which could be explained perhaps as rack numbers. I contacted Ames some years ago on another research project and was told that most of their Civil War era records were lost, some destroyed or otherwise unavailable. As I said however that was quite some time ago. Serial numbering seems to be a process that most non-govt. manufacturers generally did not do, at least for bladed weapons. on the other hand the receiving body, such as a Navy ordnance facility, an individual ship or Naval station may have numbered and /or lettered items for their own records keeping purposes but I am speculating here. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in her for your benefit. Joe

 

[wildbill25]

Thanks for the info and suggestions. I never would have thought that Ames was still in business. I collect Navy issue Colts but when I saw this piece in a small PA auction it called to me so to speak. My son's a Lt. Cmdr. in the Navy and I thought he'd enjoy it. Before the auction I found a website called pirateslair.com and they have several cutlasses for sale and listed a very lengthy and detailed description of the Ames Model 1860 Naval Cutlass. That's where I found the information on the serial numbering. According to this site, the Navy requested Ames to number their cutlasses and it was done in a certain format on the guard of each cutlass. There were two digits followed by an "M" meaning thousands and then three digits stamped below. My sword is stamped 17M over 887 which would be 17,887. I have seen photos of quite a few of these swords over the last week or so and they all have numbers and the letter "M" in this configuration. I've heard these numbers referred to as rack numbers and I know the Navy sometimes used such a numbering system for their small arms, but who knows, maybe the pirate is onto something.