| Civil war artillery sword | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Short-sword |
| Place of origin | United States of America |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1832–1872 |
| Used by | United States Army |
| Wars | Second Seminole War Mexican-American War American Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Ames Manufacturing Company |
| No. built | 16,200[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 25 in (640 mm) |
| Blade length | 19 in (480 mm) |
| Blade type | Double-edged, steel |
| Hilt type | Brass |
| Scabbard/sheath | Leather scabbard |
TheModel 1832 foot artillery sword was a 25-inch (64 cm)short-sword with a straight, double-edgedblade and brass-mountedleatherscabbard.
The U.S. Model 1832 foot artilleryshort-sword has a 6-inch (15 cm) solidbrasshilt, a 4-inch (10 cm)crossguard, and a blade usually 19 inches (48 cm) in length. This model was the first sword contracted by the U.S. with theAmes Manufacturing Company ofSpringfield (laterChicopee),Massachusetts, with production starting in 1832. In later years, it was also imported and supplied by W.H. Horstmann & Sons ofPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania. As a personalside arm, it was intended for use by the regular or footartilleryregiments of theUnited States Army and remained in service until 1872 for use of foot artillerymen. It was the issue sword for sergeants and musicians of infantry regiments from 1832 until 1840. As most artillery regiments were trained and equipped as infantry prior to 1861 a single weapon for both types of troops made sense. It replaced the earlier Starr pattern sword used throughout the 1820s. While the design was impractical for actual combat, it is believed that artillerymen put this weapon to other uses, such as clearing brush or creatingtrails. It was an effective tool for cutting paths through theFloridaswamps during theSecond Seminole War, which occurred during the time it was issued to infantry sergeants, drummers and fifers. This is somewhat corroborated by the French nickname for their version of the sword,coupe choux (cabbage cutter). The last Ames contract for this sword was completed in 1862, although as a stock item it continued to be listed in company catalogs for decades afterwards.
The design was based on theFrench foot artillery short sword of 1816, which with minor changes was basically repeated in 1831. The French model was largely inspired by theRomangladius, the standard sword of the Romanlegionaries.
French versions can be distinguished from American versions by the hilt design, manufacturers' marks (French manufacturers include Châtellerault, St. Etienne, Talabot, and Thiebaut), and the lack of U.S. markings. Swords supplied by Ames typically bore aneagle on the blade until theMexican–American War, whereas those made during theAmerican Civil War byConfederatearsenals were typically unmarked. The Ames Model 1832 has a hilt with an eagle cast into the pommel and a scaled grip surface. French versions have either textured grips (model 1816) or ringed grips (model 1831), and like later English models a plain or smooth pommel on the hilt.