The US Navy M1852 Officers Sword
Aug 13, 2021 16:51:15 GMT
Post by jack88 on Aug 13, 2021 16:51:15 GMT
Good morning all! As the last of my paternity leave time dwindles, I am making a final effort to pump out more write-ups before going back to full-time work. Today I will talk about my newest acquisition, the one sword I have "rights to." This search began for this sword began some years ago when I was newly commissioned out of the enlisted ranks. I was quickly disillusioned with what I saw, all stainless steel ceremonial garbage. This sword has been entirely relegated to a ceremonial role, the days of boarding actions against enemy vessels ended with the Civil War, even then I am unable to find an example of something like what we have all seen portrayed in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. The age of the ironclad had begun.
After seeing my collection, my current CMC asked why I did not own the one sword "I have rights to." This comment struck me true, and I reignited my search and research of the M1852.
History:
On the 9th of March 1852, the Secretary of the Navy issued this new regulation for USN Officer's swords: For all officers - shall be a cut-and-thrust blade, not less than twenty-six nor more than twenty-nine inches long; half basket hilt; grip white. Scabbards of black leather; mounting of yellow gilt; and all as per pattern.
The Navy ordered 500 swords from Ames; this would be the first and last time the US government would order swords for its officers. The rest are all private purchases. In modern-day officers generally do not buy a sword until reaching O-4 Lieutenant Commander when it becomes required. Otherwise, the lower ranks will generally buy them for use at weddings. In reality, the sword is very rarely used nowadays; dress uniforms come on perhaps once, maybe twice a year at most. I have not worn mine for two years, at least having been deployed most of that time. The original 500 swords cost the Navy $22.50 apiece; 420 were delivered on the 10th of December 1852, with the last 80 following up on the 5th of January. These original 500 Ames have inspection stamps on the ricasso; the rest do not. These original 500 are the peak of collector's items for this pattern and fetch a high premium on the rare occasion they come to market.
The US Civil War saw the US Navy explode in size and began the trend towards today's worldwide dominance. At the beginning of the Civil War, the Navy had some 7,600 men in its ranks. By the end of the war, there were 51,500. The Navy remained a meritocracy, as no well-connected civilian had the ego to believe they could command a warship, unlike the Army, where status in the civilian world gained a high commission. Today there are nearly 337,000 personnel in the mightiest Navy the world has ever seen. We reached peak numbers of 3.5 million during WW2.
The sword resembles the M1837 French Naval Officers sword, as the American military had long been imitating its French counterparts in military sword patterns.
From 1852 to 1872, the blade was heavier, with combat still in mind. The maximum dimensions being:
32" in length
1 1/16" in width at the ricasso
After 1872 these dimensions were reduced when the blade was relegated to a ceremonial role
30" in length
3/4" in width at the ricasso
They further neutered the sword in the early 20th century when the blade was straightened. Now it is impossible to find a copy not made of stainless steel. Cold Steel, for a limited time, was making a combat-worthy carbon steel model. That model is now impossible to attain.
My M1852:
The stats on my pre-Civil War Ames
Blade:
29" in length
1/4" thick at the ricasso
1 1/16" width at the ricasso
5 3/4" grip
798g or 1.75lbs in weight
The frosted blade has on one side as Ames Mfg Co, Chicopee Mass. With other Naval designs: 31 stars, an ornate naval shield with a fouled anchor above a stand of pikes, axes, and a trident with a pennant with USN on it.
The reverse side of the blade has an eagle perched on a cannon, above which is a fouled anchor with a long fouled line within oak leaves and acorns.
These Ames blades can be either acid etch in design or frosted as mine is.
The pommel has an eagle facing the heraldic right.
The half basket is inscribed USN on the asymmetrical extended side for protection for a right-handed person.
The grip is in prime condition, covered in a fish skin grip. The knucklebrow is in the design of a fish, its tail connecting to the basket and retains the majority of its gilt.
The 150+ year leather is in fine condition with designs of square knots in rope.
Bottom line:
I feel fortunate to find this sword "I have rights to" in such excellent condition. It was meant to be, and if I decided to sell my entire collection tomorrow, this would probably be the one sword I would retain. My service is ongoing; therefore, it will not be given the display it deserves until I retire. Thanks for reading!
Sources:
US Naval Officers: Their Swords and Dirks by Peter Tuite
gettysburgcompiler.org/2019/04/18/cutting-through-the-ranks/
www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/naval-actions-civil-war
www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/References/US-Navy-Uniforms/Uniform-Regulations/Uniform-Components/3501_84/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_1852_Naval_Officers_Sword