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1840 NCO Sword

1840 Army NCO Sword

1840 army NCO sword, M1840 NCO Sword. History, use, regulations and manufacturers of 1840 Noncommissioned Officer Sword.

1840 Army NCO Sword History
The Model 1840 Noncommissioned Officers' Sword was based on a German version of the infantry sword used by British troops during the Napoleonic Wars. In August of 1840, the United States Army Ordnance Department contracted with Schnitzler & Kirschbaum ( S&K )of Solingen, Prussia for 1000 swords of this pattern. Later, N.P. Ames Manufacturing Company of Cabotville received their first contract in 1844 to make this sword, followed by Ames Manufacturing Company of Cabotville (1847), then by Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicoppee , Mass in the 1850s.

The 1840 Army NCO sword 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 (Army Field Manual FM 3-21.5) and is mostly used during a regimental CSM (Sergeant Major or SGM) change of command as a symbolic transfer of authority between CSM's.

1840 Army NCO Sword Regulations and Sword versions
The Model 1840 Army NCO sword was worn and saw frontline service by American sergeants during such great conflicts as the Mexican-American War (1846 - 1848), the Civil War (1861 - 1865), and the Spanish American War (1898). A shorter version with a 26 inch blade (the typical 1840 Army NCO sword sports a 31 inch blade) was carried by musicians, and thus was called the Model 1840 Musician's sword. NCO's of shorter stature and cadets also carried this variant. Other ranks allowed to carry it included Sergeant Major, Quartermaster, Ordnance Sergeant, Hospital Steward, Corporal and Pioneer (Combat Engineer).
Some Army NCOs have this sword and wear it for social occasions, regardless of duty as a platoon sergeant or first sergeant. After all, the sword was originally designed for them. As the original 1840 Army NCO Sword could be carried - by regulation - by all Non-Commissioned Officers. This included the ranks of:
Sergeant-Major
Quartermaster Sergeant
Ordnance Sergeant
Hospital Steward
First Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal
Pioneer

1840 Army NCO Sword Manufacturers
In August of 1840, the US Army Ordnance Dept. contracted with S&K Solingen, Prussia (Germany) for 1000 swords of this pattern. Later, Ames Mfg. Co. received their first contract in 1844 to make this sword.