Model 1840 Army Noncommissioned Officers' Sword
Encyclopedia
The Model 1840 Noncommissioned Officers' Sword was based on a German version of the infantry sword used by British troops during the Napoleonic Wars
.
The sword had a 31-inch blade, a cast brass hilt resembling the more expensive wire-wrapped leather grips, and a leather scabbard rather than the steel used by cavalry troopers and officers.
s during the Mexican–American War
, and the American Civil War
it was worn either on a white or black baldric
or with an Enfield bayonet frog.
A shorter version with a 26-inch blade was carried by musicians, this was called the Model 1840 musician's sword. NCOs of shorter stature and cadet
s also carried this variant. Other ranks allowed to carry it included Sergeant-major, Quartermaster
, Ordnance Sgt, Hospital Steward, Corporal
(as an optional item) and Pioneer.
Many were very badly made with a blunt edge but still effective in combat, the primary contractor seems to have been the Ames Manufacturing Company
, it could be used like an iron club to break bones. It was the main weapon of standard bearers (along with the Colt Army Model 1860
and Colt 1851 Navy Revolver
) and hospital stewards, as well as a secondary weapon for infantry NCOs. The sword was also used by the Confederates
who captured many after seizing state arsenals.
The M1840 has had a long service life, seeing frontline service from the Mexican War
until the Spanish-American War
. in 1868 the ordnance board recommended that no more leather sword, or bayonet scabbards be purchased. so after the leather ones were used up, a black Japanned steel scabbard was substituted. along with a new pattern leather frog. It remained in service as a ceremonial weapon until general orders No. 77 dated August 6, 1875 discontinued its use. A modern version of this sword with steel scabbard is currently permitted for wear by US Army platoon sergeants and first sergeants; in practice it is rarely seen outside the 3d Infantry Regiment and honor guards. Some Army NCOs have this sword and wear it for social occasions, regardless of duty as a platoon sergeant or first sergeant.
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
.
The sword had a 31-inch blade, a cast brass hilt resembling the more expensive wire-wrapped leather grips, and a leather scabbard rather than the steel used by cavalry troopers and officers.
History
It was carried by sergeantSergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
s during the Mexican–American War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
, and the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
it was worn either on a white or black baldric
Baldric
A baldric is a belt worn over one shoulder that is typically used to carry a weapon or other implement such as a bugle or drum...
or with an Enfield bayonet frog.
A shorter version with a 26-inch blade was carried by musicians, this was called the Model 1840 musician's sword. NCOs of shorter stature and cadet
Cadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
s also carried this variant. Other ranks allowed to carry it included Sergeant-major, Quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
, Ordnance Sgt, Hospital Steward, Corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
(as an optional item) and Pioneer.
Many were very badly made with a blunt edge but still effective in combat, the primary contractor seems to have been the Ames Manufacturing Company
Ames Manufacturing Company
Ames Manufacturing Company has its origins in blacksmith and founder, Captain John Ames, who in 1774, made some of the first manufactured shovels in what would emerge as the new, United States of America. The company was founded in 1791 at their factory in Chelmsford, Massachusetts...
, it could be used like an iron club to break bones. It was the main weapon of standard bearers (along with the Colt Army Model 1860
Colt Army Model 1860
The Colt Army Model 1860 is a muzzle-loaded cap & ball .44-caliber revolver used during the American Civil War, made by Colt's Manufacturing Company. It was used as a side arm by cavalry, infantry, artillery troops, and naval forces....
and Colt 1851 Navy Revolver
Colt 1851 Navy Revolver
The Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber , later known as the Colt 1851 Navy or Navy Revolver, is a cap and ball revolver. It was designed by Samuel Colt between 1847 and 1850. It remained in production until 1873, when revolvers using fixed metallic cartridges came into widespread use...
) and hospital stewards, as well as a secondary weapon for infantry NCOs. The sword was also used by the Confederates
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
who captured many after seizing state arsenals.
The M1840 has had a long service life, seeing frontline service from the Mexican War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
until the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. in 1868 the ordnance board recommended that no more leather sword, or bayonet scabbards be purchased. so after the leather ones were used up, a black Japanned steel scabbard was substituted. along with a new pattern leather frog. It remained in service as a ceremonial weapon until general orders No. 77 dated August 6, 1875 discontinued its use. A modern version of this sword with steel scabbard is currently permitted for wear by US Army platoon sergeants and first sergeants; in practice it is rarely seen outside the 3d Infantry Regiment and honor guards. Some Army NCOs have this sword and wear it for social occasions, regardless of duty as a platoon sergeant or first sergeant.
See also
- Marine Noncommissioned Officers' Sword, 1859-PresentMarine Noncommissioned Officers' Sword, 1859-Present-Description:The sword adopted in 1859 and subsequently carried by noncommissioned officers of the United States Marine Corps is patterned after the United States Army’s foot officers’ sword of 1850, with minor differences...
- List of individual weapons of the U.S. armed forces
External links
- http://www.civilwarantiqueshop.com/sw21.htm
- http://www.angelfire.com/wa/swordcollector/marks/page1.html