History of the Ames Sword
Company
The N.P. Ames Company opened its
doors in 1791 at their factory at Chelmsford, Massachusetts. In 1832
Nathan P. Ames signed his first contract with the United States
government for Foot Artillery swords. Thus began the tradition that
exists to this day at America's oldest sword manufacturer.
Ames entry into the field was
almost an accident as Nathan Starr gave up making swords in favor of
guns. This accidental beginning resulted in a change of product for
Ames which has overshadowed many other accomplishments of this company
which became America's foremost supplier of edged weapons for over a
century.
While noted for its swords, Ames
also was the home of one of the largest brass, bronze and iron foundries
in the country. Notable work included cannon and rifled guns during the
Civil War, many famous statues including the MINUTEMAN statue in
Lexington, Massachusetts and the bronze doors for the United States
Capitol. Ames also brought nickel electroplating to the United States
and pioneered in nickel and gold plating, particularly for regalia and
presentation swords. Dabbling in everything from guns to locks and ice
skates, Ames was at the forefront of the industrial revolution and was a
company that did not shy away from innovation or improvement, though
never at the expense of quality.
The most prolific American sword
makers over the longest period of time, the Ames factories turned out
more models in larger quantities than all other American makers
combined...before or since.
Their swords carried by enlisted
men and officers alike saw service from obscure frontier Indian
skirmishes to every famous battle fought by American military and Naval
forces from the swamps of Florida and the plains of Texas in the early
1800's to the great battle fields of Europe in the twentieth century.
The first presentation swords ever commissioned by Congress to honor
heroes of the Mexican War were contracted to The Ames Sword Company.
For the enlisted man, to whom
weapons were issued, Ames supplied ruggedly made, yet well-constructed
swords, under direct government contract. Direct government contracts
for military swords used today are predominantly produced outside the
United States due to the availability of inexpensive labor. For
officers, who usually purchased their swords privately outside
government sources, Ames has made available extensive selections, with
numerous variations and custom features, of both the regulation
"pattern" types and non-regulation - highly elaborate swords
specifically designed for presentation purposes.
Such elegantly embellished
specimens, usually given to important personages for specific heroic
acts or to commemorate important events, are wonderfully illustrative of
the changing art forms and styles of the various eras in which they were
made: approaching the baroque and height of opulence as they reflect
the Civil War period. With the decline in the use and need for military
swords after the Civil War, Ames continued its tradition by creating and
producing hundreds of styles for military, fraternal and society
organizations. Numerous Ames swords of those elaborate types superbly
represent the heights reached by the sword-makers art. Such elegant
swords were intended to be worn only on special occasions...if at all.
Surviving examples of Ames' finest work are still in use today. Many
more can be found throughout the U.S. in museums and personal
collections, reminding us in their often flowery, romantic Victorian
terms, of the men and the deeds they represent: permanent testimonials
to the historic acts they most often memorialized.
Though the Ames family eventually
left the business, it continued until sold to the largest regalia firm
in the United States, the M.C. Lilley Company of Columbus, Ohio in the
mid 1930's. M.C. Lilley was sold to the C.E. Ward Company of New
London, Ohio in 1951. Both companies produced large numbers of regalia
swords for Fraternal organizations under their company trademarks using
Ames equipment and processes. In August of 1987 the C.E. Ward Company
sold its "sword" and "fraternal" divisions to Fraternal Supplies, Inc.
which revived the Ames name for its military and reproduction sword
division while continuing manufacture of swords for fraternal
organizations. Today, you can find the tradition of Ames quality at
their factory in New London, Ohio. Although combat ready swords are an
item of the past, Ames employees continue to produce a large selection
of regulation, reenactment and presentation swords plus a replica of the
American Bowie Knife utilizing original Ames patterns and molds in
addition to utilizing the same time honored traditions and
craftsmanship. Ames Sword Company's historical significance to the
American military is unparalleled by any other supplier of edged
weapons.
Russell L. Sword, President, Ames
Sword Company http://www.amessword.com/
