Ames Silver Wash Scabbard and Fittings
Aug 16, 2022 20:45:30 GMT
Post by tweet on Aug 16, 2022 20:45:30 GMT
Ames used a silver wash (deposition plating) on swords right back to their swords marked Springfield during the 1830s. Over time, blades were marked to Cabotville, a town which was growing within the Springfield area. When Cabotville became truly annexed from Springfield, The town was then called Chicopee.
How does this affect Ames blade markings? Despite the change to Chicopee, one will still find some swords and knives marked to Cabotville after 1848. One such blade showing a change is the bowie in another section marked to Chicopee. This places the bowie as no earlier than about 1850. The blade of that bowie is a cut down and reground 1849 Ames rifleman's knife (all of those issued marked to 1849 and Cabotville). The guard as well is from one of the old rifleman's casting. I would regard it as quite valuable and rare. A terrific find. Squarely in the 1850s timeline and silver wash, not nickel plating.
Ames did a number of bowies for customers and aside from the rifleman's knife, usually one offs. Here is the contracted riflemans knife.
www.rockislandauction.com/detail/56/1181/extraordinary-ames-us-model-1849-us-mounted-riflemans-knife
Hamilton's Ames history title is back in print.
www.amazon.com/Ames-Sword-Company-1829-1935/dp/0917218183
Nickel/German silver/white brass was coming into vouge later in the century and the later m1902 sword blades and scabbards were nickel plated.
I would leave it to a professional to do period deposition type silver washes. I have done it but I honestly do not recommend using electro brushes to tinker with the said bowie, or others. The silver wash is a natural chemical galvanic bonding with no electricity.
No disrespect to SBG and their collectors but some of these could be better served by sending the questions where there are many more eyes.
An 1850s Ames silvered militia sword and scabbard
How does this affect Ames blade markings? Despite the change to Chicopee, one will still find some swords and knives marked to Cabotville after 1848. One such blade showing a change is the bowie in another section marked to Chicopee. This places the bowie as no earlier than about 1850. The blade of that bowie is a cut down and reground 1849 Ames rifleman's knife (all of those issued marked to 1849 and Cabotville). The guard as well is from one of the old rifleman's casting. I would regard it as quite valuable and rare. A terrific find. Squarely in the 1850s timeline and silver wash, not nickel plating.
Ames did a number of bowies for customers and aside from the rifleman's knife, usually one offs. Here is the contracted riflemans knife.
www.rockislandauction.com/detail/56/1181/extraordinary-ames-us-model-1849-us-mounted-riflemans-knife
Hamilton's Ames history title is back in print.
www.amazon.com/Ames-Sword-Company-1829-1935/dp/0917218183
Nickel/German silver/white brass was coming into vouge later in the century and the later m1902 sword blades and scabbards were nickel plated.
I would leave it to a professional to do period deposition type silver washes. I have done it but I honestly do not recommend using electro brushes to tinker with the said bowie, or others. The silver wash is a natural chemical galvanic bonding with no electricity.
No disrespect to SBG and their collectors but some of these could be better served by sending the questions where there are many more eyes.
An 1850s Ames silvered militia sword and scabbard