Weird cavalry sword opinions

[Skarts_ss]

Hi all,
I would like your opinion in this weird sword.
Looks like old blade.
Weird scabbard
Any thoughts?

[Skarts_ss]

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[Skarts_ss]

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[Skarts_ss]

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[Will M]

Looks like an Arab sword with British influence in the hilt.

[Jim McDougall]

Most interesting, and seems almost like a 'steampunk' interpretation of a Napoleonic hussar saber.
I have never seen a squared scabbard like this, and the opening at the throat of the scabbard part way down to allow withdrawal of the parabolic blade does recall many Ottoman shamshirs of 19th c.

The hilt is of course an interpretation of the British 'gothic' hilts of 19th c. from 1822+ for infantry officers swords and some other units. Usually the open oval carried royal cypher or unit devices.

The canted bird head pommel -backstrap reminded me of certain European saber hilts but could not find comparison.

The exaggerated drag on the scabbard chape is again a Napoleonic affectation.

Also interesting are the squared blocks on the blade, not sure what those are for.

Thought I would throw in some thoughts. Definitely an anomaly.

[Will M]

Jim I didn't notice the blocks on the blade but they are positioned to fill in where the top and central scabbard bands are located.

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks Will, I had not discerned that, which is again, odd as these blade fixtures become rather integral with scabbard. I know some British swords likely had these slotted scabbard openings for extremely parabolic blades in the manner of these Ottoman shamshirs (not the pala but with thin radiused Persian type blades) which I have (not avail right now) and appears late 18th-early 19th.

I note as well the rather mechanical 'markings' approximating the 'X's on Solingen blades often seen, but usually dispersed with inscriptions or names, and what appear to suggest 'sickle marks'. A lot of work went into this and actually quite attractive interpretation of a 'hussar' saber.
Again, it seems there have been these kinds of sabers in either Swedish, Danish or Dutch contexts, but comprehensive catalogs of their forms are both hard to find and typically incomplete.

Good call on the Arab (or Middle East) gestalt, and British officers often seem to have commissioned various features of swords of these cultures to be incorporated with established British ones (sort of East meets West).

The presence of pronounced 'yelman' on 1796 period officers sabers, and tulwar hilts on British blades is well known.

The Ottomans had a saber with the familiar pistol grip hilt with distinctly European knuckle guard added.

Good to know guys are reading this, hope maybe somebody out there has seen something similar.

[kronckew]

looks flank officer style. see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24545&highlight=flank+officer

and

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18023&highlight=flank+officer