ARIZONA SWORDS

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          This is a fake Ames short artillery sword.  Look for four things:

                 1.  The eagle on the pommel cap has a large deformed beak

                2.  The eagle stamped in the blade has the wrong design

               3.  The inspection date markings are wrong!  "United States, 1839, MS" markings on                      the blade are left justified  using the same stamp.   Also,  it should only be                      stamped "US" not spelled out on this date, and not all the same size.   United                      States stamped may be considered correct provided  all markings are centered                      and  not "left justified."

               4.  The revits in the grip are zinc and should be brass.  

    All these things are wrong and you should stay away from this sword.  These are all    dated 1839, so look very hard at any Ames short artillery sword with this date.  

  Every other dated Ames sword artillery sword I have fond has been correct

   This is one of the best fakes on the market and often fools many novice collector and    general dealers.  BEWARE!!

FFAKE

FRREAL