Hi all,

This is my first post here so I apologise if I get some of the lingo wrong. Iv recently inherited a knife from my grandfather and just out of curiosity I googled the markings and it appears to me to be a model 1849 and scabbard in pretty good condition, I’m a carpenter by trade and and familiar with genuine old wood and metal work and this looks legit to me, I’m not sure if there are very early reproductions of these but it certainly looks feels and smells really old. It’s in good condition barring the ageing as it’s been sat In a loft boxed up for atleast the last 50 years.
I was hoping somebody a bit more clued up on it may be able to verify it’s genuine and give me a rough estimated value, Iv read about the interesting history and origins of the model 1849 but it holds no sentimental value to me it’s deserves to be somewhere it could be admired for its history.

Many thanks in advance and look forward to hearing about it.

Jake

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More pictures - the handles markings and frog button

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Looks like the real deal to me. Interested in selling? :D ....McM

164moore@gmail.com

Yes, I would potentially like to sell it

Check this knife against the Ames tab in Frank Trzaska's U.S.Military Knives website. www.usmilitaryknives.com
I believe this may be a reproduction, it is one of the most reproduced/ faked US knives. Good luck.

Thank you Phillip,
All the signs point to the knife being real from the information on that website, why do you think it’s a reproduction? can anybody recommend anyone who could have a look at it and verify it in the UK? Or know the potential value if it is real so I can get it insured if needs be?

Many thanks
Jake

As far as I can read from your picture the word CABOTSVILLE is incorrect. it should read CABOTVILLE..
If you want confirmation youcan contact Frank via his site.

This might be helpful in determining authenticity.
Regards,
Norman.

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https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/56/1181/extraordinary-ames-us-model-1849-us-mounted-riflemans-knife

That page is an excellent reference. I guess the motto today should be. ".Assume it's a replica UNTIL it's *proven* beyond doubt that it's genuine." In deference to the makers of those replicas, I'll be generous and assume they made those obvious errors so their products couldn't be passed off as the genuine article by knowledgeable collectors. It just goes to show..do your research carefully

That page is an excellent reference. I guess the motto today should be. ".Assume it's a replica UNTIL it's *proven* beyond doubt that it's genuine." In deference to the makers of those replicas, I'll be generous and assume they made those obvious errors so their products couldn't be passed off as the genuine article by knowledgeable collectors. It just goes to show..do your research carefully

I guess that goes to show my knowledge of this particular blade. I would have never caught the 'Cabotville' thing. :\ ....McM

Of course, there are also hard references but the spelling and marks should be fairly obvious a lot of the time. Start by ignoring any marking entirely and you'll see more and more as time goes on. The lanyard tube, for instance. Overall castings from various angles, pins, wood, so many little things. Some of the reproductions were quite well made 40-50 years ago and even more recently.

Some of the Dahlgren bayonet repros terrify me but at least I wouldn't be in the market for one anyway due to values and cost.

It took me more than a decade before finally adopting an Ames m1832 foot artillery sword and did so only due to avoiding the commonly used dates stamped on quite good reproductions.

The 1849 would be a fine find for anyone's collection and there are certainly more originals that may innocently surface. Do watch traits for any of this stuff. A Roby bowie would make my day.

Careful though, should we be telling all this to the fakers?

Cheers
GC