Model 1840 US Army Non-Commissioned Officers Sword

This is an original, and extremely rare item that predates the American Civil War. An American 1840 pattern NCO’s sword by Ames MFg Co, dated 1864, US Government inspectors marked for JMW. It has a battlefield repair to its hand guard and to the rear of the cross guard, most likely as a result of close combat. It has approximately 80cm blade, with an overall length 97cm.
 
The Model 1840 noncommissioned officers' sword was adopted by the United States military in 1840. Based primarily on a sword used by the French Army, the model 1840 NCO proved somewhat heavy hilted and ill balanced. The sword replaced a weapon more commonly known as the Model 1832 foot artillery sword which was used by both the infantry and the artillery regiments from 1832 to 1840. Its wearing was granted to all sergeant ranks until it came out of use in 1875. Additionally first sergeants and above would wear a waist sash from 1821 to 1872.