RON G.

HICKOX
ANTIQUE ARMS & M I L I T A R Y

P.O. BOX 122/f Brandon, Florida 34299 New Ph #

June 20,1983 Dear Joe;

AC 813-237-0764

Havwn't heard a word from you as to if you received the manuscript sent via UPS to Wagapaw Press % of you. Hope you haver it by now. Do to a dislocated finger, am typing very badly,.. finger m a y . be broken but will wait till swelling goes down before making this opinion or getting X-ray. Enclosed are two things that may be of interest: 1. xerox copy of story in Wa^f_en_ Journal, about French edged weapons made a Klingenthai...German text. I can't translate this but thought maybe you know of a Univ. student that will do if for us....let me know....? List from Fairfield Book Co. of the French 26 volume set on edged weapons (French text) , I understand this is a close-out as they were 819-50 per volume and now $15 per volume....1st come first served. I sent for one volume ( Wo. 6 -1st choice; 2nd choise No.3 and 3rd choice No.23). I haven't received my order yet so don't know which of the above I will get....if any.

2.

Hope you find the enc. of interest. I thing I could use a good photo of your French saber and any other Napoleonic sword(s) you have....or at least, barrow the negatives to make enlargements. Would you like to have a copy of my two-part article from _Gfun Report : "Weapons of Waterloo"....or do you get GR ? Must quit for now, finger in bad shape for typing.

RON G. HICKOX
ANTIQUE ARMS M I L I T A R Y RESEARCH

July 2,1983

P.O. BOX 1224 Brandon, Florida 34299

Ph C8l5)

237-0764

I just changed jobs and can't keep up with it yet...work,work & mor work ! I am suprised you could not make copies from the monograph I sent. Would think a good xerox machine would copy it, but I doubt a wet-copier of the old style would make very good copies of it. Will look forward- to seeing the negatives for your Fren'ch Broad sv:ord (Curassers)-, T am still waiting Tor Gun_._Re-por_t magazine to send me some extra- copies of Part II of my "Weapons of Waterloo" and when I get these, will send you a copy of Part I (June issue) and Part II (July issue). I also put in an order to Fairfield Books for some books and one volume of the 26 on French Swords.....! called them yesterday and found out they are so far behind in shipping orders that-mine, sent in on June 5th, had still not been shipped.... so it will take awhile to get your order. As soon as I get the volume I ordered will let you know what volume it is, since I only ordered one, but gave them a choice if they were, out: re: Vol. 6, or Vol.3, or Vol.23. If these are small volumes, maybe you can buy some and I will buy some, then we will xerox for each other what the other does not have. Guess we will have to wait and see what we get. I know where there is a Model 1905-06 Experimental A.S. Co. (.Ames Sword Co.) sword in nice shape, but no fecabbard...don't know what he wants for it and don't have his address but he did buy two of your sword books so you must have a record: William "Bill" Douglas, Dunedin, Jla, Don't know if he wants to sell it or not as it used to be mine and the one I used in my article photo. If you will send me your want list, or better yet send it to: 33516 Phone (813) 581-148? Don is an expert on swords and a arms dealer in his profession. He always has a large stock of US swords and I think he is very reasonable in price. He goes to most of the major arms shows from Dallas to Columbus, H.Y-., etc. I don't think he gets to the Cal. Shows. When you write him tell him you know me and give you the best price he can quote on stvord prices. He just sold a M1840 Ames Heavy Cav. saber w/scabbard dated 1848. The ones made by mfg. other than Ames and usually found undated, I believe are Civil War Ml840 sabers. My research found thnt Ames was the only Govt, supplier of this sword from 1S44-45 to 1859. Did you know that some of the M1840 swords and scabbards were made different by Ames than post Mex. War M1840 swords. I don't have my records in front of me but I believe the M1840 Light Art, Sabers, made before 1848-49, have a recess under the brass guard to accept the scabbard which had no collar throat and tnus m into ttt. guard recession...later tl~ was changed .
Don Ball , 1574 Pennwood Cir. ,1T. , Clearwater, Fla.

After writing the last paragraph I deceided to turn off the typewriter and look up the information on the "recess guard" which I found is only on the M1840 Light Art. Sabers, made before 1861, i.e. 1845-1860 Ames made Art. sabers. I was thinking it was on the M1840 Cav. saber too but am wrong. Mike Bremer of W.J. furnished me with this information last year when I v/as soing a survey on enlisted mens1 ^^ Ames marked sivords. Of course, Ml 840 Light Art. Sabers are rare if you can find one made before the Civil War. Mike Brem^jrfer told me that the reason the recess is in the M1840 Lgt. art. sabers v/as that little or no change was made in this saber from the French Pattern of 1822...that is until the Civil War when it must have been cheaper to make it confirm to the cav. saber scabbard throat and bottom of guard. I understand your feelings about not wanting to co-author anything as you want to have it your o n . . feel the same way sometimes. w . . I I have been talking to my printer where I get stuff copied and printed and he" said he would work with me on putting out a small booklet which I may begin on which will cover Ames Swords sold to the U.S. Govt. (Army & Navy) from 1832-1906. This will have a brief history of each sword, illustration, and then the Ames production figures, delivery dates, etc, I have worked up an outline but could not make you a copy today as could find no one open with a copy machine...will ssnd it later. There is a new sword book out on Inscribed & Presentation Civil War swords and I only got- a short look at it but it appears well done. Can't remember the author's name but the book appears mostly

so this book may give some details- on what originals should look like as far as etching, engraving of the inscriptions. Speeking of inscribed swords*Don Ball just picked up a M1860 high grade Staff & Field Officer's sword presented to Col. (Brevet-General) Thomas L.-Crittenden/ 32 Infantry Regt/ given to him" at his retirement on May 19, 1881. As I am sure you know, T.L. Crittenden had a long career, his son being killed with Custer at the Little Big Horn, and his brother was a Confederate General while he v/as a Union Gneeral. I took some-photos of it for him last \veek. "fell will close "for no~w. Will send you -eo"Di-es -of"WeaDons--of Water-loo1-1 when I get the last part.

.Ben G. Hickox

RON & HICKOX

ANTIQUE ARMS & M I L I T A R Y RESEARCH

P.O. BOX 1224 Brandon, Florida 34299

Joe Turner/Atascadera,Ca. Dear Joe:

AC 813/

237-0764

July 9, 1983

Just a short note with the enclosed xerox copies of Weapons of Waerloo, Part 1 & II from gun, Repgrt. I waited until today for GR to send me some extra copies so I could send you but guess they are going to send 'em. So copied them for you. Let me know what you think of the article. I gave Lee Brown, a good friend and colleague of mine credit for the co-authorsihip on this article but actually all he did was do alittle editing because of the length of this. Enclosed also is a photo which you can keep of what appears to be an early 19th century or late to mid-18th century French mounted troopers saber....maybe its not French at all...don't know as their are no markings. Don Ball owns it and he believes is dates around the U.S. Revolution and believes that the leather hanger and scabbard are possibly American-made, but a French or European cav. saber....what do you think ?? Have been working on mylittle "Collectors' Guide to Ames Edged Weapons Production" (title will probably be changed) and am half way completed with the rough draft. Don't know if I will submitt this to a publisher or try and have it printed myself (yet). Guess I will wait until I get it all done and see what I have. It will depend on if I do it, how I will have it illustrasted. Will use line-drawings of the swords if I do it, photos (black & white) if a publisher will do it. (Enclosed is a rough draft of the outline). V/ell, will close for now. Hope you find a way to xerox the manuscript I sent you so you can have a record of it, since I still do not have a publisher...yet. Look forward to seeing your new monograph or a. copy of it.

BNC; some extra business cards of mine incase you meet other edged weapons collectors...please give them one of my cards.

Ron G. IB ckox

Ph (813) 237-0764'

Box 122^, Brandon,Fl;3429$

bdel bdel Model Model Model Model Mode] 1.9. .Light 1.10. Model '1.11. Model 1.12. ModelPART 11:

1832 Foot Artillery Swords, 18J2-1362. 1833 Dragoon Saber', 1834-18391840 Heavy Dragoon Sabor, 1844-1859. 1840 Light (Korse) Artillery Saber, 1844-1865. ' 184C N.C.O. Sword, !S44-1865. 184O Musician Sword, 1S46-18S5. 1850 Foot Officers 1 Swords 1850*1865. 1850 S t a f f 5 Held. (Mounted officers) Swords, 1850-1865. Cavalry Saber, 1857-1865. 1860 Staff 8, field Officers' Swords,- 1861-1865. 1906 Iron-hilted Light Cavalry Sabers. 1904-05 Experimental Cavalry Sabers, 1906.

ORDNANCE PUKCi'ASSS OF BAYONETS,KNIVKS & CADET SWORDS

3.1. 3.?. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. .3.7.

Model 1841 Ames Naval .Cutlass, 1841^1846. Model 1852 Haval O f f i c e r s ' ivmrds, 1852-53. Model 1360-61 Nava] Cutlass, 1861-1864. Ames Sharps Navy .Rifle Saber Bayonets 1361-1862. Ames Bov.le Knife (Plymouth Navy tiifle) Bayonets, 1861-1863:. Model 1870 Remington Dolling Block Ktfle Bayonets, 1870-71.

APPKNDIX I ?erniiiolOj';y & Koiaenclature:;:words,Bayonets & Scabbards APPENDIX 11 Table of Imported Swords Purchased by the Army Ord. Department as samples, later nado by the Ames Mfg. Co. , 1S32-184Q. -APPENDIX ill Collector's guide to current (1983-1984) values to Air.es-made swords, bayonets & knives, not be used)

.addi tions tc PART I 1.9s

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Springfield Armory National Historic Site One Armory Square Springfield. Massachusetts 01105

August 23,
K-14

1983

Mr. Joseph W. Turner

P.O. Box 490

Atascadero, California 93423 Dear Mr. Turner: We have received your request to visit the museum to make detailed examination and photographs of various edged weapons in the collection. We will be most happy to cooperate. Things are much better organized here as compared to your earlier visit in 1977, although we still have quite a bit of construction work going on which may make finding a place to photograph the specimens a bit uncertain. However, we shall do the best we can. Your proposed visit during the period of October 22 to 27 sounds fine, but as you refine your schedule more, a specific date would help us in scheduling our time. Enclosed is a copy of our newly prepared collection access policy for your information. I can see no problem with this in relation to what you wish to do. Sincerely,

William E. Meuse curator

Bj aoommmenl 101- R- T-e :_.; -J la Ti/gr S-ord CuBss

t. SETS .31-;. ,-....;.~-=

WILKINSON

Wilkinson Sword Limited

11-13 Brunei Road London W3 7UH Telephone 01-749 1061 Cables Swordsmith LDN Telex 897067 WMBRUN G

JAW/FS 30th May 84 Mr. J.W. Turner, P.O. Box 490, Atascadero, California 93423. Dear Mr. Turner, I purchased a copy of the Last Bright Blades last year. It was very interesting reading. At the time I was thinking about the relationship between the British 1908 Mkl, but time goes quickly, work gets in the way and I let the opportunity of writing to you slip by. We will try to answer your questions. Not all of our archives are as complete as they should be, but will do our best, and obviously we would like to prove a link in with Wilkinson, Yours sincerely,

Director and General Manager - Swords Division

PI36EJ Registered in England No293fi