Spanish 1881 infantry sword dtd. 1895

[kronckew]

for info & comment. thanks for any info y'all might have on these.this one is on it's way from new york.

dated 1895. 23 ¼” yataghan style blade with it's original scabbard.

i gather these are from the spanish-american war of 1898 & likely bring-backs from cuba. i also have a shorter (17") very similar one (faschenenmesser) with a straight english blade and a horn handle that was apparently a cuba war trophy. ref:http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19560&highlight=machete

[kronckew]

sword has arrived,it's in good order, bit of dark patination near the point, small area near tip of scabbard where the leather is unsewn, and the grip chequering is a bit worn. guard is a bit loose. bit of loose rust to brass brush off.

i removed the walnut scales after unscrewing the cutler's screws holding them, the guard appears loose fit by design, plenty of clearance between the guard and blade, and it rocks on the pin securing the guard, which has a substantial gap. there is a channel in the underside if the scales to accommodate the pin and it appears the scales themselves are used to tighten the guard and have shrunken a bit over it's life, allowing the movement. abit of discrete shimming will 'cure' that. the guard is stamped 548. the tang under the scales is marked with a large '33' and a smaller stamped sideways N or Z. ther other side has a large 'J' marked over a hand punched XXXII (or maybe IIXXX if not a roman numeral). cleaned loose rust off & ballistoled everything & reassembled it. i gave the walnut scales a good soak in real walnut oil too.