Thanks, Jim. I forgot to mention the sellers dated it to around 1850-60.
I've always been fascinated with mourning swords, but don't have much to add. I know many smallswords were later blackened for such occasions. I'm assuming the metal was 'pickled', just like the Japanese used to do to darken the metal. However, I've also heard that blackened rapiers/smallswords were carried by the town guard/sargeants patrolling the streets? In any case, hope some others can come in with examples of mourning weapons-
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