Ames Manufacturing Company
Ames Manufacturing Company
Identifying Features
Identifying Features
Embedded Files
The edges of the Ames' cross guards are slightly rounded and the space between the edges are curved outward. This creates a finial that is a bit undefined. This feature is common to most of Ames' production, excluding the very early and post war production.
The steel rivet in the center of the cross guard is a feature that most of Ames' bayonets do not have but there are exceptions.
Pre war to early war press stud and spring production
The press stud spring, normally 41 millimeters long, has been ground on the backside leaving the spring thick at the screw hole tapering to thin at the opposite end. This is similar to Harpers Ferry's springs but without as much tooling. Also notice the extra tooling around the Ames' screw hole. This feature appears to have been done on early Ames production and dropped on later production.
In the press stud assembly, there is a notched extension on the spring side of the press stud that prevents the stud cylinder from rotating in the hole drilled through the hilt. This tooled rectangular extension fits into a notch cut into the brass hilt under the spring. Harpers Ferry also started using this style of press stud at about the same time in history. Who set the standard is unknown.
A rectangular extension is cut into the brass hilt beside the lug hole to accept the lug neatly under the spring.
A rectangular extension is cut into the brass hilt beside the lug hole to accept the lug neatly under the spring.
Late war to post war press stud and spring production
As the war progressed, Ames simplified the production of the press stud and spring using a very similar approach to Collins & Co. These changes are first noticed with the Sharps Model 1863 bayonets. The press stud spring length was increased to 45 millimeters long and longer, but it is still thicker at the end with the screw hole.
Ames adopted the Collins' style of press stud with an oval extension on the spring side that prevents the press stud cylinder from rotating in the hole drilled through the hilt. The stud cylinder terminates into a thin oval extending to the right side probably produced in the original casting of the stud.
Ames adopted the Collins' style of press stud with an oval extension on the spring side that prevents the press stud cylinder from rotating in the hole drilled through the hilt. The stud cylinder terminates into a thin oval extending to the right side probably produced in the original casting of the stud.
In the very same manner as done by Collins & Co, an oval extension is cut into the brass hilt beside the lug hole to accept the lug neatly under the spring.
In the very same manner as done by Collins & Co, an oval extension is cut into the brass hilt beside the lug hole to accept the lug neatly under the spring.
During the post war period spring lengths increased to 51 and 57 millimeters and appear to have been stamped from sheet metal without the milling that was used in the past. Thus, becoming an even thickness from end to end. Most likely faster and cheaper to produce. The spring lengths were probably increased for additional strength and flexibility.
During the post war period spring lengths increased to 51 and 57 millimeters and appear to have been stamped from sheet metal without the milling that was used in the past. Thus, becoming an even thickness from end to end. Most likely faster and cheaper to produce. The spring lengths were probably increased for additional strength and flexibility.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse