One of the most influential wars the United States ever participated in was the Civil War. Fought on the very grounds of America, this fierce battle pitted brothers and friends against each other. While firearms had already been invented, the military sword was the weapon of choice when fighting was close and personal. During the civil war, there was a variety of companies that manufactured military swords. These sharp civil war blades were capable of inflicting mortal damage, and in the hands of a skilled swordsman, were more lethal than inaccurate rifles and other firearms.

If you ever wondered what's the difference between the civil war blades carried by the Confederate and Union armies well wonder no longer! It can become quite confusing as most styles were copied and adapted from classical European sword styles. The North was fortunate in having two official US Arsenals, one being the J. T. Ames Manufacturing Co. of Chicopee Massachusetts which had been supplying swords to the government since 1832. For the civil war foot soldier, their civil war blades were the last line of defense after the cannons had fired and the flintlocks had lowered their white smoke. Officers the Union and Confederate armies commanded loyalty, respect and bravery from their troops. Their swords and side arms were carried to remind the troops of that. Many Government Issue Union civil war swords were carried in the hands of the South during the early years of the war. When supplies from the North ceased, the Confederate forces began relying on local manufacture and imports. Southern sword smiths copied the Union designs, but with subtle changes. Many civil war swords are undeniably of the same design and were used by the Confederate as well as Union armies.

The Ames Company first began producing U.S. military blades in 1832 and continued until 1906. They produced more swords for the military than any other company, before or since. Ames had produced over 200,000 swords in service by the end of the Civil War. In the 1850's Ames began putting a mark on their swords that carried through the Civil War era. The words Made by Ames are enclosed within an unraveled scroll, and initials with the initials US and the date is stamped on the opposite side of the blade. This mark is usually very weak and most times has been worn down by the scabbard.

William Glaze was an agent for Ames Company until 1851, when he started Palmetto armory in South Carolina. He produced 2000 cavalry sabers and 526 light artillery sabers. These were all used by the Confederacy during the war Most cavalry sabers are marked "Columbia, S.C." on one side, and some have Wm. Glaze & Co on the other side of the ricasso.