CONDITION:
In addition to that which was explained elsewhere, the entire hilt assembly, guard and grip are in excellent
condition with only superficial marks of age over the past 154 years. The grip is wrapped in two strand copper wire.
The original gold wash is mainly present with some loss due to aging. A patina has turned the
uncovered brass golden. The hilt and blade are tight. The leather washer is missing.

The
scabbard is complete and has the original throg which is a rarity. Both are impossible to find
if missing.  There is some minor loss of leather and cracking. The blade is has large areas of blackening with some
polished nickel present. There is no pitting.

From
the Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs WASHINGTON (NNS) — The chief of naval operations approved a number of
uniform changes as announced in NAVADMIN 118/10 March 31. Included in the announcement is the approval of a Chief Petty Officer
(CPO) Ceremonial Cutlass for optional wear by E-7 through E-9s. Chief petty officers are authorized to wear the cutlass in
full dress uniforms when acting as a member of an official party during a ceremony. However to ensure uniformity, all members
of the official party must wear either the cutlass or the sword. Because this is an optional uniform article, Sailors are
responsible for the cost of the item. Additional details on the final design and manner of wear of the cutlass will be released
in a future Navy message.

BRIEF HISTORY Ames Mfg. Co.: The Ames Manufacturing Company, Chicopee, Massachusetts, was founded in
1832 by James Tyler Ames and his brother, Nathan Peabody Ames. The company manufactured small tools, cotton machinery, swords,
cannons, and did casting of bells. They started production of military contract swords in 1832 with the M1832 foot artillery
sword, and ended with the M1906 cavalry saber in 1906. Ames produced more swords for the American military than any other
company before or since, totaling over 200,000 swords in service by the end of the Civil War. In that time, at least ten different
manufacturing marks were used on the swords. A little knowledge of the company history helps place a date range for when each
stamp was used. When the company started producing swords it was led by Nathan P. Ames, and most marks reflected that fact.
In 1847, Nathan died and left the company to his brother James. The markings on the blades were immediately changed from N.P.
Ames to Ames Mfg. Co. In 1848, the town of Cabotville was incorporated into Chicopee, Massachusetts, and the marks were once
again changed to reflect this. Blades dated as late as 1850 may still bear the Cabotville stamp, as the old dies
were probably used until they were worn out. In a much reduced state, they are still in business today. 

The
Model 1860 cutlass, which replaced the Model 1841, saw service during the Civil War and through the Spanish American
War. They likely were used during the early days of World War I. Based on company records, 22,000 of them were
made for the Navy and 300 for the Army by  Ames in two Massachusetts plants. The design for this cutlass was copied
from the French naval cutlass used from before 1800 when boarding of enemy vessels was common place. The French affectionately
called it “Cuillere-a-pot” (the soup ladle) and the comparison is obvious. Mostly, from an essay by Mike McWatters