M-1862 Sword - Officer's Gold Knot - Secure Hilt Mounting!

[Big Jim Dandy]

Steel Horse Bailey:

As requested Sir;

I purchased the M-1862 Light Cavalry Saber from the Ames Sword Co. & these are the instructions they gave me
for securing the Gold Officer's Knot to the Sword Hilt:

Quote:

"Loop around straight part of hilt near head, then wrap around handguard 3 times & feed knot thru hole in basket,
letting the knot hang underneath as you hold sword. "

Unquote.

Two things immediatley became obvious:

!. At the head of the handle the loop would slide over it, at the slightest touch, even with the piece tight in place, that is supposed to prevent this from happening. The solution, was suggested by Boss Lady, that she use heavy gold thread to sew the loop in place, on the underside of the grip, in front of the head, while I held it tightly together!   It will not slide off now, as it it is too tightly in place. The locking piece is in place & looks like it is doing the job it was designed for!

2. Looping thru the hand guard as described above allows the tassle to slide up & down, depending on the position of the sword.
With the sword in front of me & the blade facing to the right, I simply brought the tassle towards me, under the basket, & pulled the straps back up slightly  & seperated them. I then pushed the tassle between the straps & back through the basket, which resulted in the tassle being locked firmly in place, even if the loop somes off at the head of the hilt. When you look at the basket the gold strap now covers the entire base of the basket where the 3 prongs come together.

My Officer's Knot will not come off the hilt, unless it's shot off!    

I hope you this helps anyone who needs it.

With Respect.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Got it!

[Big Jim Dandy]

Sir;

Thanks for making me look so good with my explanation!  Sometime one justs lucks out  & expresses
oneself clearly.  Damn, that does sound pompass, dosn't it.  

With Respect;.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Not to worry, pal!  I prefer to call it "eloquent."

I have an original Officer's Model Staff-type sword.  I don't know the exact date, but have seen the same style listed from the late 1850s on.  The closest to mine I've seen is an 1880s Staff Officer's Sword.  Anyway, it has a hole in the guard (near the end) that looks as if the sword knot is supposed to go through it.  None of the pictures I've seen of them have any knot at all - probably because the knots didn't survive any storage or handling.  It's a beautiful sword marked M.C.Lilley (which is now owned by Ames Swords) with engraving, the wire wrapping totally intact, the ray-skin in faded but perfect shape and about 40% of the 24K gold plating intact.  The scabbard is in Very Fine condition as well and only has one place about the size of a nickel where the silver plating has started to peel off.  I think I've posted it before, but the sword can be seen here:



You can also see in the picture how I affixed the leather sword Knot to my saber ... and apparently NOT in the manner that Ames e-muled you - but it works.  I may attempt to change it.  I thought the whole thing did one of those loop deals around the hilt which is very secure and the leather band was simply there to take up slack. 

[Big Jim Dandy]

Sir;

I see what you have done, so I'm going to take some pictures of what I have done with my
Officers Knot, this week-end and post them.

Then, perhaps, someone can tell me, if what I have done is correct sword procedure!

[Big Jim Dandy]

Here are the pictures, of how I affixed the Gold Officers Knot to my sword.

[Big Jim Dandy]

One more picture. Better lighting!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks for the great photos!  If you said, I don't remember:  where'd the sword knot come from?

The ones from Fall Creek are $30 as are all others I've seen.  Any others out there any less pricey?

[Big Jim Dandy]

Sir;

I got the Knot from the Ames Sword Co. & it cost me $50.00.

It looks & fits so good, & is of very good quality, that I'm satisfied I paid a fair price. 

With respect;

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks again!  I hadn't noticed on their website that they even HAD the knots!

[Big Jim Dandy]

I called them to discuss my sword purchase, & asked them if they had the knot. I didn't  even look at their catalogue.