Musician's sword

[guardbone89]

Hello everyone. First time post, so I'm starting small!

I would like to know a good source of information on the musician's sword regulated for the U.S. Army and used in the Civil War period. Other than the fact that it was shorter than the 1840 NCO sword, I don't know much else about them. It seems like Ames made a lot of them. I would like to obtain one at some point and I don't know of anywhere that makes a reproduction, so I want to do research on originals. This way I can get a better idea of what I'd be looking at.

Thanks a lot,

John Connors

[erik]

Re: Musician's sword

The EOG Union and "The American Sword" both have excellent information on this sword. It was indeed shorter than the NCO and had no knuckle guard.
I saw one in Gettysburg at a non approved supplier's store marked Ames with no other marks and certainly no "India". $135.00 US. I bought it for my drummer and when he skedaddled gave it to the drummer of the 155th NY.

Erik Simundson

[guardbone89]

Re: Musician's sword

Thanks Erik! I just purchased the EoG set on Amazon a few days ago and am waiting for it to arrive. I'll be sure to check in there for the sword info and all the other treasures the books hold!

[Jboring]

Re: Musician's sword

I have done a bit of looking into the swords and for what you would be paying for a bright shiny new one....an original can be had for not much more. Repro leather will be a must though.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Musician's sword

Hallo!

One of the better quickie overviews or "quick & dirty" references is Harold Peterson's "The American Sword 1775-1945."

About the only differences between the 1840 NCO sword and the musicians' sword was that the MS lacked the double guard and its blade was about four inches shorter. (34 1/2 overall, 28 inch blade 3/4 inch wide at the hilt.
Its leather scabbard is the same as the nco sword's except for length- the nco at 37 1/2 overall, 31 3/4 blade 7/8 inch wide at the hilt.

Both were part of the 1840 models largely copied/taken from our admiration of the French at the time.

Curt

[fortdonelsonrelics]

Re: Musician's sword

If you get an original, go for an Emerson & Silver, their NCO and Musicians swords had metal scabbards. They will last and I carry and Emerson and Silver musicians when doing some federal.

They will run, depending on condition between 375-550.00

John Walsh

[Jimmayo]

Re: Musician's sword

Here are some pictures of a C. Roby.

[guardbone89]

Re: Musician's sword

John and Jim,

Thanks for the information on other manufacturers! I liked learning that some of them made the swords with metal scabbards...that sounds like something for me if I decide to get one. Now I know what to look out for! Curt, thanks for the tip (no pun intended) on the sword book...it sounds like a wonderful resource that I'll have to read sometime soon.

[One is the Left!]

Re: Musician's sword

If you're wanting a repro, I have one that I'd let go pretty cheap. Bought it back when I was a young buck, it's sat happily in the back of the closet for... oh, about a decade now.

[guardbone89]

Re: Musician's sword

Eugene,

Would you be able to email me at johnconn@roadrunner.com with pictures of your sword and also how much you might be looking to get out of it? Thanks!

John