Only 1,000 of these knives were purchased by the Ordnance Department from the Ames Manufacturing Co. in 1849 for issue to the U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. The Model 1849 Rifleman's Knife has the distinction of being the first knife officially designed and purchased by the U.S. Army. The massive knife is 18 inches long and has an 12 inch spear point blade, cast brass cross guard marked with "WD" (William Dickinson) and "J.W.R." (General James Wolfe Ripley) inspection marks, and slab-sided walnut grips with a distinctive brass lined thong hole in the pommel and three steel rivets. Between 1842 and 1854, James Ripley was Superintendent of the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts and later the head of the Ordnance Department at the beginning of the Civil War. The knife is complete with the original black leather scabbard with brass throat and tip. The throat has a round frog stud. The obverse ricasso of the blade is stamped with a "US" property mark over "WD," and the reverse is roll-stamped "AMES MFG. CO./CABOTVILLE/1849" in three lines. The U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was originally authorized by an Act of Congress on December 1, 1845 and organized in the fall of 1846. They fought during the Mexican-American War, primarily armed with Colt Dragoon revolvers and U.S. Model 1841 rifles. Because the Model 1841 rifles did not have provisions for bayonets and they did not carry traditional cavalry sabers, the men needed suitable blades. The Model 1849 has similarities to other fighting knives from the era and was very well made. The Mounted Riflemen were sent to the Oregon Territory in 1849 and were subsequently assigned to garrisons in California. Many of the men deserted during the California Gold Rush, then at its peak. The unit was redesignated the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at the start of the Civil War, and many of the Model 1849 Rifleman's Knives that were still serviceable saw use during the conflict. The 3rd Cavalry has been a part of many of the most important moments in U.S. military history since its creation. The 4th Squadron is still known as "Longknife." Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Very fine overall, blade retains a bright polished surface with sharp edges, a few small patches of very light pitting, and crisp markings. The brass guard and scabbard fittings retain an attractive aged patina. The handle is very fine with a few light dents and handling marks. The leather on the scabbard is fine with some minor cracking. The Ames Model 1849 U.S. Mounted Rifleman's Knife is the rarest and most desirable of all U.S. military knives and is typically found only in advanced U.S. martial arms collections.