Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

M ELEY · 25th December 2017, 01:19 AM

I am REALLY going out on a limb here, as this isn't my forte. I find it interesting that the bars of the guard are attached as they are...almost braised. This sword has the general appearance of many of the mid-19th century German style swords, but why the 'roughness' of the bars? I am not insulting the sword and actually am quite fascinated why it would appear this way. It got me to wondering if there is any chance that this might be a Confederate sword import from Germany?

Follow me down the rabbit hole a bit. The Southern States were desperate for weapons at that time, as they lacked the industrial complexes of the north. Many swords used by the Rebs were from earlier conflicts (Mexican War swords, refurbished Virginia Arsenal swords dating to the early 19th c.). Others were imports, like the British Mole m1850. Some very fine officer's swords of French and German make, were made for the South. Likewise, so called 'dog river' swords used parts and pieces from what was available to refurbish European blades and grips with often primitive knuckle bows and bars.

Things that often point a finger at a POSSIBLE Confederate used sword are weapons with poor forging lines, blades shorter than scabbards, odd unidentified maker's markings, etc. If this were simply a European/German sword, it seems like it would have regiment stamps, rack markings, troop numbers, etc. Its complete lack of any marking (with the exception of the vague punch to the scabbard) make me wonder. I once owned a dog-river m1860 pattern cavalry sword with scabbard, sold to me as a Union piece. The scabbard fittings were brass, the bars on the hilt look like these and the blade was too short for the scabbard.

I am not a 19th c. collector and don't pretend to know much. All I'm saying is it might be worth your while to do some research on rebel weapons. Most have the standard m1840/m1860 general appearance, but I've seen fine Confederate officer's swords French made with swirling bars, Stygian helmet pommels, etc. I've seen very German looking swords used by the Rebs as well. Indeed, some of the German makers directly made for the South.

OK, that's my two cents...Let's see what others might have to offer.

25th December 2017, 01:19 AM	#9
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	I am REALLY going out on a limb here, as this isn't my forte. I find it interesting that the bars of the guard are attached as they are...almost braised. This sword has the general appearance of many of the mid-19th century German style swords, but why the 'roughness' of the bars? I am not insulting the sword and actually am quite fascinated why it would appear this way. It got me to wondering if there is any chance that this might be a Confederate sword import from Germany? Follow me down the rabbit hole a bit. The Southern States were desperate for weapons at that time, as they lacked the industrial complexes of the north. Many swords used by the Rebs were from earlier conflicts (Mexican War swords, refurbished Virginia Arsenal swords dating to the early 19th c.). Others were imports, like the British Mole m1850. Some very fine officer's swords of French and German make, were made for the South. Likewise, so called 'dog river' swords used parts and pieces from what was available to refurbish European blades and grips with often primitive knuckle bows and bars. Things that often point a finger at a POSSIBLE Confederate used sword are weapons with poor forging lines, blades shorter than scabbards, odd unidentified maker's markings, etc. If this were simply a European/German sword, it seems like it would have regiment stamps, rack markings, troop numbers, etc. Its complete lack of any marking (with the exception of the vague punch to the scabbard) make me wonder. I once owned a dog-river m1860 pattern cavalry sword with scabbard, sold to me as a Union piece. The scabbard fittings were brass, the bars on the hilt look like these and the blade was too short for the scabbard. I am not a 19th c. collector and don't pretend to know much. All I'm saying is it might be worth your while to do some research on rebel weapons. Most have the standard m1840/m1860 general appearance, but I've seen fine Confederate officer's swords French made with swirling bars, Stygian helmet pommels, etc. I've seen very German looking swords used by the Rebs as well. Indeed, some of the German makers directly made for the South. OK, that's my two cents...Let's see what others might have to offer.