1906 Ames Sword Blade made in Germany

[Frank Trzaska]

I just picked up a loose blade from an Ames 1906 sword and found that the tang has GERMANY stamped into it. Didn''t know if anyone had ever seen the inside of one before.

 

All the best

Frank Trzaska

[Spathologist]

I posted a couple on another board that have different markings, post #19 in the thread. One has "GERMANY" on the ricasso, the other has the CE Carl Eickhorn mark.

[Tim]

In 1906 Ames made 10,000 sabers using German made blades and scabbards, plus an additional 10,000 scabbards were imported. The only real differance from the M1860 saber was the steel, instead of brass, hilt and the spacing between the scabbard rings was changed to be the same as the M1902 officers swords.

I Have been wondering why the War Deparartment needed an additional 10,000 obsolete sabers.

[Spathologist]

Ames had a contract for 20,000 iron-hilt sabers, and made 18,961. The remainder of the contract was diverted to M1905/06 experimental sabers.

 

The Army originally just wanted more M1860 sabers, but with the furniture browned to match the new uniform buttons. It was discovered to be impractical to brown the brass furniture, several plating methods being tried. Due to this, and advantage taken of the delay to recommend several changes to the scabbard, the production was considerably behind schedule. Growing impatient with the delays, Ames suggested making the furniture out of iron that could be easily and durably browned, and the Army approved the idea on 22 March 1905.

 

As to why they needed more sabers, Congress had just approved several new Cavalry regiments and the Army didn't have enough sabers to supply them. It was also getting increasingly difficult to refurbish the sabers in inventory.