1832 ARTILLERY SHORT SWORD
This is a Foot Artillery Sword from the period of 1832 to about 1870. This sword is based upon the French M1831 Foot Artillery Sword which, in turn, was based upon the very early Roman gladius. The British also used a similar pattern called the "Land Transport Corps Privates's Hanger, Pattern 1855." The hilt is of solid brass with the "Federal Eagle" cast into the pommel and "scales" or "feathers" cast into the grip. These were carried by North and South during the Civil War. As a personal sidearm, it was intended for use by the regular or foot artillery regiments of the United States Army and remained in service until 1872 for use of foot artillerymen. It was the issue sword for sergeants and musicians of infantry regiments from 1832 until 1840. As most artillery regiments were trained and equipped as infantry prior to 1861 a single weapon for both types of troops made sense.
While the design was impractical for actual combat, it is believed that artillerymen put this weapon to other uses, such as clearing brush or cutting traces. It was an effective tool for cutting paths through the Florida swamps during the Second Seminole War which occurred during the time it was issued to infantry sergeants, drummers and fifers. This is somewhat corroborated by the French nickname for their version of this the sword, coupe choux (cabbage cutter).
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