One of the most influential wars that the United States participated in was the Civil War. Fought on American soil, this fierce battle pitted brothers and friends against each other. While firearms had already been invented, the military sword was the weapon of choice when fighting was up close and personal. Here are some of the American manufacturers of military swords during the Civil War.

During the civil war, there were a variety of companies that manufactured military swords. These razor-sharp blades were capable of dealing deadly damage and, in the hands of a skilled swordsman, were more lethal than imprecise rifles and other firearms.

The Ames Company produced military swords between 1832 and 1906. By the end of the Civil War, this company had produced more than 200,000 swords. Nathan P. Ames founded the company and branded blades made from NP Ames. After his death, his brother James changed the brands to Ames Mfg. Co.

Swordmaker Christopher Roby was in business from 1861 to 1867. During his six-year career, Roby produced a line of cavalry sabers, musician’s swords, NCO military swords, and light artillery sabers. When the Civil War came to an end, the company went bankrupt.

The second largest producer of Civil War swords in the United States was Mansfield and Lamb. The company, which operated in Rhode Island, was a textile store before the war broke out. Mansfield and Lamb only created one type of military sword: the M1860 saber.

New Jersey-based swordmaker Emerson and Silver was in business for five years from 1860 to 1865. Records have led historians to estimate that the company produced nearly fifty thousand military swords during the war. When the fighting ceased, the company went adrift.

The Philadelphia-based company PS Justice had a catchy name and produced some Civil War swords. In 1861 alone, the company produced almost 14,000 cavalry sabers and more than 1,000 artillery sabers.

Tiffany & Co is one of the iconic jewelers of modern New York City. When you walk in and see the incredible variety of gems, it’s strange to consider that the same company once made military swords for the heaviest combat in the Civil War. The company created high-quality officer’s swords and two different cavalry sabers.