List of Famous American Swordsmiths from the Revolutionary War to World War I [Updated]
America’s sword history and culture is largely influenced by Europe. The first settlers in North America maintained European sword traditions. Gentlemen wore swords as part of their everyday ensemble, while middle and lower class men favored knives.
Interestingly, the first sword duel in American history happened between two servants. Edward Doty and Edward Lester of the Massachusetts Bay Colony sustained minor wounds after fighting in 1621.
By the 18th century, swords continued to play a role in distinguishing gentlemen from the lower classes. George Washington and other military leaders wore swords modeled after European styles but made by colonial swordsmiths.
By the onset of the Revolutionary War, several sword makers had established well-respected businesses. These swordsmiths contributed to both the Continental and British armies.
Sword production in America increased by the time of the War of 1812 and accelerated still quicker by the onset of the Civil War in 1861.
American swordsmiths also enjoyed plenty of product demand during the First World War. This war would be the last major event in which the American sword was essential in combat.
The following swordsmiths made sought-after swords for personal and military use. They lived and worked during important events and their products would be used to decide the outcome of American history.
1) John Bailey
John Bailey was the leading cutler in the American Colonies during the time of the American Revolution. Hailing from Sheffield, England, Bailey arrived in New York in 1755 at the age of nineteen.
He established his first business in New York City and later moved several times before settling in the Fishkill area of the Hudson Valley.
Bailey specialized in crafting cuttoe swords, which were all the rage in the 18th century. This style of sword evolved from European hunting swords. American versions such as Bailey’s had shorter blades that proved more practical for use and wear in the Colonies.
Some of John Bailey’s most famous creations were owned and used by George Washington. Washington can be seen wearing a Bailey sword in the famous painting Washington Crossing the Delaware.
John Bailey cuttoes often featured unique elements like recurved crossguards, animal heads, and military arms details.
After the Revolutionary War, Bailey returned to New York City. He died in 1815 and passed his sword making business down to his son.
2) James Potter
James Potter was another popular sword maker during the American Revolution. Potter created dragoon sabers, which were heavy cavalry weapons coveted by both Continental and British soldiers.
Potter produced swords for British and Loyalist soldiers under contract with the British government. Colonel Alexander Innes requested swords several times. James Potter created 1,580 sabers for the British between 1778 and 1781.
Because his work was so highly praised by both sides, Patriot soldiers would often take Potter swords from the battlefield. Captured swords were then copied by Patriot sword makers.
James Potter’s swords were the only maker marked sabers to be used by both sides.
James Potter moved to Nova Scotia in 1783 after the defeat of the British.
3) Nathan Starr
Nathan Starr forged and repaired weapons during the Revolutionary War. He opened his swordsmithing business in Middletown, Connecticut and became the first American sword manufacturer in the brand new country.
Just prior to the War of 1812, Joseph Hull of the US Navy made a contract with Starr for 2,000 navy cutlasses. When war broke out, the US government also requested cavalry swords. While the cavalry swords proved useful in battle, it was the navy cutlass that helped Starr rise to such acclaim.
Known as “the cutlass that fought the War of 1812,” Starr’s short sword was easily maneuverable for fighting aboard a ship. Besides cutlass and cavalry swords, Nathan Starr also crafted ceremonial swords for War of 1812 heroes like Isaac Hull and Andrew Jackson.
Nathan Starr continued to produce swords until 1826. His company survived well into the 1800s and crafted swords for the Civil War.
4) Ames Manufacturing Company
Ames Manufacturing Company is the most famous sword making company of the Civil War era, and one of the most famous in American history.
Brothers Nathan P. Ames Jr. and James T. Ames moved the family business from Chelmsford, Massachusetts to the Chicopee River area and crafted swords for the government and state militias.
The onset of the Civil War meant that the North was cut off from arsenals in the South. This led to the rise of independent arms manufacturing. Ames proved to be one of the best in the North.
Ames held several contracts with the US government in the Civil War years. Between 1859 and 1861 the company created 5,000 light cavalry sabers in the “new pattern.”
The sword making division of Ames became its own independent company in 1881 before being purchased by A.G. Spalding Company.
Ames swords continue to be highly sought after and collectible pieces of American history.
5) Thomas Griswold & Company
Thomas Griswold & Company was owned by Henry Thomas and Arthur Breese. The pair worked out of New Orleans and were top sword suppliers for the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Known for crafting some of the finest swords of the South, Thomas Griswold & Company swords were recognized by their solid brass scabbards. The swords were coveted by both Southern and Northern officers due to their distinctive style.
The company ceased production after the Union took New Orleans in 1862.
6) Emerson & Silver
Emerson & Silver of Trenton, New Jersey held several state contracts during the American Civil War. Some of their best work was saved for officers’ presentation swords. These highly detailed weapons featured gold gilt, etchings, mottos, and valuable imported components.
Emerson & Silver swords are highly collectible and are the favorites of many Civil War era sword experts and collectors.
7) Louis & Elijah Haiman
Louis & Elijah Haiman were brothers and swordsmiths who lived and worked in Columbus, Georgia. They were major suppliers of swords and goods for the Confederate Army.
Swords made by the Haiman brothers feature curved grips and unique scabbards. Haiman swords are rare collectibles today and are identified by their unique designs.
Louis & Elijah Haiman operated their sword making business from the start to the end of the Civil War. While best known for their blades, the duo also made guns, camp supplies, accessories, and other necessary goods for soldiers.
8) W.H. Horstmann & Sons
W.H. Horstmann & Sons produced some of the finest swords of the Civil War, but faced controversy due to their methods. W.H Horstmann immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1816. He established his company in Philadelphia in the 1820s.
While Horstmann is remembered as supplying the government with much-needed swords during the Civil War, experts actually consider him an “assembler” versus an actual “maker” of swords.
Horstmann was highly skilled at importing European sword components and putting them together in beautiful and effective ways. He imported many of his blades from Solingen, Germany, which ensured they were top quality.
Much to the dismay of fellow sword manufacturers, W.H Horstmann & Sons held many contracts with the US government and the State of Pennsylvania during the Civil War. After using blades from Emerson & Smith, the company complained about the fact that an “assembler” could get government contracts.
W.H. Horstmann’s production methods seemed to pay off, as he supplied 25,188 sabers between 1861 and 1865.
9) Louis Froelich & Company
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Louis Froelich is remembered as “the sword maker of the Confederacy.” He operated his business, Louis Froelich & Company, in Kenansville, North Carolina. Beginning in 1862, Froelich supplied the Confederacy with a range of sword styles.
During the war, Froelich’s company crafted 11,700 cavalry sabers, 2700 officers sabers, 600 navy cutlasses, and 800 artillery cutlasses.
The Froelich & Company armory was destroyed by the Union in 1863.
10) Christopher Roby
Christopher Roby was another celebrated swordsmith who lived from 1814 to 1897. His shop was based in West Chelmsford, Massachusetts and became the second largest sword contractor after Ames Manufacturing Company.
Roby originally made scythes and machetes but changed to swords after the start of the Civil War. His first contract with the US government started in 1862. At the peak of production, Christopher Roby could produce 1,000 swords in two weeks.
The swordsmith crafted NCO, musician, and cavalry sabers. Roby was the only sword maker in the North to produce cavalry sabers in the 1860 heavy cavalry design.
Christopher Roby produced 32,410 sabers during the war. This made his output about the same as Emerson & Silver.
11) James Conning & Jacob Faser
James Conning worked as a silversmith in New York City before moving to Mobile, Alabama in 1840. He established a successful jewelry and silver business before transitioning to sword making for the Confederate Army.
In 1860, Conning debuted his products to the newly formed Alabama Volunteer Corps. He crafted buttons, braid, and swords for the soldiers.
In order to create high-quality swords more efficiently, Conning enlisted the help of swordsmith Jacob Faser. Faser immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1828 and worked for H.W. Horstmann before moving to the South.
Faser began a partnership with James Conning in 1861 and supervised the production of swords. Although Faser was responsible for Conning’s success in the sword making industry, Conning refused to compensate Faser fairly.
The pair parted ways in 1862. After the war, Conning reestablished his jewelry and silver business.
12) Landers, Frary, & Clark
Landers, Frary, & Clark was founded in New Britain, Connecticut in 1862 by George M. Landers. The company originally produced cutlery and kitchen equipment.
The company transitioned to producing cavalry swords, trench knives, and bayonets during World War I. The company had a contract with the US government for Model 1913 Patton cavalry sabers and produced almost all of the sabers in use by the military.
13) Remington UMC
Most of us likely associate Remington with firearms and ammunition, but the company also produced swords and bayonets during World War I.
Remington is one of the earliest arms companies in America. It was founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington of Ilion, New York. After nearly a century of production, Remington merged with Union Metallic Cartridge Company in 1912.
Under its new name, Remington UMC, the company crafted essential tools and weapons for use in trenches and on battlefields.