Although America saw the development of
many new Civil War weapons, edged
weapons were still wielded on the battlefield.
The most widely used of weapons of the Civil
War was the sword or sabre.
Only in the cavalry were swords used
regularly to their full potential. Sabres became
marks of rank and in the later years were
abandoned in favor of more efficient weapons.
many new Civil War weapons, edged
weapons were still wielded on the battlefield.
The most widely used of weapons of the Civil
War was the sword or sabre.
Only in the cavalry were swords used
regularly to their full potential. Sabres became
marks of rank and in the later years were
abandoned in favor of more efficient weapons.
During the civil war, there was a variety of companies that manufactured military swords.
These sharp blades were capable of inflicting mortal damage, and in the hands of a skilled
swordsman, were more lethal than inaccurate rifles and other firearms.
The Ames Company produced military swords from 1832 - 1906. By the conclusion of the Civil
War, this company had produced over 200,000 swords. Nathan P. Ames started the company
and marked the manufactured blades with N.P. Ames. After his death, his brother James
changed the markings to Ames Mfg. Co.
Sword maker Christopher Roby was in business from 1861 - 1867. During his six year run,
Roby churned out a line of cavalry sabers, musician swords, Non Commissioned Officer
military swords and light artillery sabers. When the Civil War came to an end, the company
went bankrupt.
The second largest producer of Civil War military swords in the United States was Mansfield
and Lamb. The company, operating out of Rhode Island, was a textile outlet before the war
broke out. Mansfield and Lamb only created one type of military sword - the M1860 saber.
New Jersey based sword maker Emerson and Silver had a five year run from 1860 - 1865.
Records have led historians to estimate that the company produced nearly fifty thousand
military swords during the war. When the fighting stopped, the company went belly-up.
The Philadelphia based company P.S. Justice had a catchy name and produced some fine Civil
War swords. In 1861 alone, the company produced nearly 14,000 cavalry sabers and over
1,000 artillery sabers.
For all those privileged to carry a sword it was a great honor. To surrender it meant a
humiliating defeat. In some cases rather then surrender ones sword to your enemy they were
destroyed and tossed in the fire rather then surrender it.
Honor was everything particularly to the Southern troops.
These sharp blades were capable of inflicting mortal damage, and in the hands of a skilled
swordsman, were more lethal than inaccurate rifles and other firearms.
The Ames Company produced military swords from 1832 - 1906. By the conclusion of the Civil
War, this company had produced over 200,000 swords. Nathan P. Ames started the company
and marked the manufactured blades with N.P. Ames. After his death, his brother James
changed the markings to Ames Mfg. Co.
Sword maker Christopher Roby was in business from 1861 - 1867. During his six year run,
Roby churned out a line of cavalry sabers, musician swords, Non Commissioned Officer
military swords and light artillery sabers. When the Civil War came to an end, the company
went bankrupt.
The second largest producer of Civil War military swords in the United States was Mansfield
and Lamb. The company, operating out of Rhode Island, was a textile outlet before the war
broke out. Mansfield and Lamb only created one type of military sword - the M1860 saber.
New Jersey based sword maker Emerson and Silver had a five year run from 1860 - 1865.
Records have led historians to estimate that the company produced nearly fifty thousand
military swords during the war. When the fighting stopped, the company went belly-up.
The Philadelphia based company P.S. Justice had a catchy name and produced some fine Civil
War swords. In 1861 alone, the company produced nearly 14,000 cavalry sabers and over
1,000 artillery sabers.
For all those privileged to carry a sword it was a great honor. To surrender it meant a
humiliating defeat. In some cases rather then surrender ones sword to your enemy they were
destroyed and tossed in the fire rather then surrender it.
Honor was everything particularly to the Southern troops.
Below is an example of a CSA officers sword,. It is a reproduction of one carried by a high ranking officer
