bulletbadger
Established Users
howdy folks, i have a 64 ames sword that the leather wrapping is missing from, was wondering if there is a web site i could look at to figure out how to re-wrap it?
sword handle
- Thread starter bulletbadger
- Start date
MosbyRanger
Established Users
I don't know of a web site but there is a book by John D. Hamilton entitled The Ames Sword Company, 1829-1935. Runs about 45.00. Looks like it might have some good pics for you but it's pricey. Hope that helps a bit.
Selma Hunter
Established Users
Sword Man
Bulletbadger -
I think that it is the TN Mtnman - one of our forum guys - that is a real sword expert. See if you can get him up on the thread and see what he can tell you.
VBR,
Bulletbadger -
I think that it is the TN Mtnman - one of our forum guys - that is a real sword expert. See if you can get him up on the thread and see what he can tell you.
VBR,
Sword Handle
BulletBadger
Is it Cavalry, Artillery, Dress, NCO, or an Officers model? It makes a difference. There were a few different types of leather and Dye colors used. There was also Ray Skin, something completely different.
There are a few places that will restore or sell you the parts to restore Civil War Swords. The one that I have used is a fellow out in Sanoma California. I will try to find his address for you. If you are going to do a Leather restoration on a Cavalry Sabre, Or any sword that has a hilt anchored to the pommel, there are 2 basic ways to do it (Really only one that is recommended). The one I prefer and is the only one I have ever seen done, is to simply Split the leather and wrap it over the wooden handle so that the split is at the bottom and not easy to see. Then wrap the wire around the handle. ( I will explain that later) The other ( And I personally would never do this) requires the removal of the Peaned Tang at the end of the Pommel to take the sword apart. A lot of collectors will not value this sword as highly as one that is still in its original assembled state. I do not recommend that you take the sword apart. Then Put the leather tube around the Handle and reassemble. The Swords "Forward Tightness" Could be compromised as a result of being taken apart, another reason not to do it this way. AS far as the wire, There are different types of wire for Cavalry, Artillery, even Dress swords for the period. the 1840's 1850's and 1860 models are all different sizes of wire. Also the direction of the wires "twist" (Left over right or Right over left is important also) Cavalry was one direction and Artillery the other. You will have to get the right model wire and "twist" as well depending on what type of sword you have from 1864. TO install the wire you start at the hilt end of the handle and drill a very small 1/16 hole in the wood near the bottom, (You can even use the original hole if you can locate it) insert the end of the twisted wire then force a toothpick into the hole tightly to hold it permanently. A spot of glue wouldn't hurt. Then, wrap the wire in the correct direction. If you can snake the wire under the Pommel cap and make it one nice piece great! IF not because it is too tight, then anchor it with the same toothpick method underneath where it will not be seen at the pommel end. When you buy the replacement parts make sure that you get instructions on how to do it as well. I may have left a few things and I am sure there are sword restoration experts out there that know a lot More than I about it. I have only done one in my collection and it was wire only, the leather was 95% intact.
Now, after all of that, If I buy a Sword with the handle bare to the wood, I would (and have) leave it in my collection as is. To me, and I only speak for my own collector values, The markings and/or any provenance it may have are enough for me as a collector. Who knows, maybe it was used so fiercely all the leather and wire came off! A lot of Cavalry troopers took the wire off because it hurt the hands, especially the big 1840's
hope I was of some help
mtnman
BulletBadger
Is it Cavalry, Artillery, Dress, NCO, or an Officers model? It makes a difference. There were a few different types of leather and Dye colors used. There was also Ray Skin, something completely different.
There are a few places that will restore or sell you the parts to restore Civil War Swords. The one that I have used is a fellow out in Sanoma California. I will try to find his address for you. If you are going to do a Leather restoration on a Cavalry Sabre, Or any sword that has a hilt anchored to the pommel, there are 2 basic ways to do it (Really only one that is recommended). The one I prefer and is the only one I have ever seen done, is to simply Split the leather and wrap it over the wooden handle so that the split is at the bottom and not easy to see. Then wrap the wire around the handle. ( I will explain that later) The other ( And I personally would never do this) requires the removal of the Peaned Tang at the end of the Pommel to take the sword apart. A lot of collectors will not value this sword as highly as one that is still in its original assembled state. I do not recommend that you take the sword apart. Then Put the leather tube around the Handle and reassemble. The Swords "Forward Tightness" Could be compromised as a result of being taken apart, another reason not to do it this way. AS far as the wire, There are different types of wire for Cavalry, Artillery, even Dress swords for the period. the 1840's 1850's and 1860 models are all different sizes of wire. Also the direction of the wires "twist" (Left over right or Right over left is important also) Cavalry was one direction and Artillery the other. You will have to get the right model wire and "twist" as well depending on what type of sword you have from 1864. TO install the wire you start at the hilt end of the handle and drill a very small 1/16 hole in the wood near the bottom, (You can even use the original hole if you can locate it) insert the end of the twisted wire then force a toothpick into the hole tightly to hold it permanently. A spot of glue wouldn't hurt. Then, wrap the wire in the correct direction. If you can snake the wire under the Pommel cap and make it one nice piece great! IF not because it is too tight, then anchor it with the same toothpick method underneath where it will not be seen at the pommel end. When you buy the replacement parts make sure that you get instructions on how to do it as well. I may have left a few things and I am sure there are sword restoration experts out there that know a lot More than I about it. I have only done one in my collection and it was wire only, the leather was 95% intact.
Now, after all of that, If I buy a Sword with the handle bare to the wood, I would (and have) leave it in my collection as is. To me, and I only speak for my own collector values, The markings and/or any provenance it may have are enough for me as a collector. Who knows, maybe it was used so fiercely all the leather and wire came off! A lot of Cavalry troopers took the wire off because it hurt the hands, especially the big 1840's
hope I was of some help
mtnman
BulletBadger
Here's the link to go to to really get some Good info on Sword restoration before attempting it. Hope it helps
mtnman
http://www.cds1.net/~nardi/swords/
Here's the link to go to to really get some Good info on Sword restoration before attempting it. Hope it helps
mtnman
http://www.cds1.net/~nardi/swords/
bulletbadger
Established Users
many thanks for the info, i may just leave it alone as mntman suggests.
Sword Handle
BuletBadger
Hi, just our of Curiosity, is it a Cavalry Sabre we are talking about here?
Are there any other markings, initials on the sword? IS the US Mark there or the inspectors marks? I can help you identify them too if you need me to. Look also on the Pommel at the very end, also on the Hilt and on the Drag at the end of the Scabbard for inspectors marks. I know that you can see the Ames Logo as you mentioned it is an Ames. IS the Chicoppe MASS mark there too? The Ames Chicoppe Dies were pretty sturdy like their Cabbotville predecessors and made a good mark that withstood a lot of abuse.
Look at me rambling on LOL I don't even know What type sword you have there.
Anyway thanks for sharing info about part of your collection it is always a pleasure to meet a fellow collector.
Mtnman
BuletBadger
Hi, just our of Curiosity, is it a Cavalry Sabre we are talking about here?
Are there any other markings, initials on the sword? IS the US Mark there or the inspectors marks? I can help you identify them too if you need me to. Look also on the Pommel at the very end, also on the Hilt and on the Drag at the end of the Scabbard for inspectors marks. I know that you can see the Ames Logo as you mentioned it is an Ames. IS the Chicoppe MASS mark there too? The Ames Chicoppe Dies were pretty sturdy like their Cabbotville predecessors and made a good mark that withstood a lot of abuse.
Look at me rambling on LOL I don't even know What type sword you have there.
Anyway thanks for sharing info about part of your collection it is always a pleasure to meet a fellow collector.
Mtnman