Napoleonic cuirassier sword - ORIGINAL?

[Valjhun]

I got this the previous week. One cannot be never safe wiht all the repros arounf. I checked the markings and seems to be ok so far, but I have some doubts, regarding its condition... Practically mint for a 200 years old sword. What do you think? Original? Or the one of the best repro we had ever seen?

[Henk]

Although not my field, I would say it is original looking at the markings. Also the hilt is not attached with a screw.
Apparently it was owned by collectors who cared for their puppies.

[Matus]

Hi,

I suggest to check the following resources:

http://www.oldswords.com/articles/French%20Cuirassier%20swords%20AN%20IX%20-%20AN%20XI.pdf

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?61446-Buyer-s-Guide-to-fake-French-cuirassier-swords

"Always be suspicious of October 1813 dates. Used by the Discrimating General and others before going back to those made by Manton in India in the early 1980's"

I hope it helps.

Matus

[Matus]

Hi again,

I'm afraid it's a fake. See here:

http://www.militaryheritage.com/swords1.htm

I'm not sure I'm skilled enough to give an advise, but I'll try anyhow:

1) buy as many good books about a sword as you can before making a sword purchase

2) search the Internet and especially all the forums, then search again, then search again, then ask and only then make a purchase

3) always try to handle the sword by hand before making a purchase

4) only buy from guys who have a return policy

Matus

[spiral]

A dealer I know talked me through these about 13 years ago, he always had one for sale... A shasqa too... Think they were his best sellers.

Most of the Indian fakes of these are dated October 1813 & have 15 or 16 wire wraps to the grip... Not the usual 11 for 1813.

Also the ricasso on a Kligenthal sword should have 3 stamps not 2.

And last but no means least... Sans serif font for the numbers was not used on these or indeed in use in 1813.

its a £150 reproduction, made in India & marketed by many firms for many years..

And of course sadley many sold on by many well known sword dealers as genuine for enormous mark ups.

Sorry its not good news. But they have made good fakes of these for a long time.

Spiral

[Valjhun]

No, not good news at all... Thank you anyway Spiral... and Matus, of course (I didn't see your posts.. amazing)