1862 AMES SWORD

[TOM2]

I HAVE A 1862 AMES SWORD MARKED AMES MFGC CHICOPEE MASS ON ONE SIDE OF BLADE AND U.S ADK 1862 ON OTHER SIDE.
SCABBARD IS ALSO MARKED ADK . HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND UNDERSTAND THESE MARKINGS , HOWEVER , THERE IS A
NUMBER 13696 MARKED ON THE KNUCKLE BOW. WHAT DOES THE NUMBER MEAN ? I HAVE NOT COME ACROSS ANY INFO ON THIS
NUMBER MARKING . THE SWORD AND SCABBARD ARE IN WONDERFUL CONDITION . HAVE HAD THIS FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS , I
PURCHASED AT A GUN AND MILITARY COLLECTOR SHOW . HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTION REGARDING THE
NUMBER.

THANKS, TOM

[raymond isbell]

I think the number is the serial #
Raymond

[Danny Butler]

Raymond's probably right on this one.

[mtnman]

Hi Tom
This may well be some sort of serial. I'm a bit puzzled by it and am going to do a little research on it as I'd like to know as well what the number means. I have an Ames 1840 (Wristbreaker) in my collection with numbers and letters stamped all over the the pommel, hilt and blade but none that look like a serial #.
I have read reports that weapons captured or recovered by the confederate army were sometimes "Re-issued" which involved stamping a new marking, perhaps (and this is just speculation) this may be one such weapon.
If you do find out please post what you find, I'd like to know
Thanks

Claude