Hello Gentlemen,
Thank you for your quick reply and kind comments regarding my court sword.
I have finally found a very similar sword for comparison; this one was sold by Fontaine's Auction Gallery in Jan 2010. It was listed as follows;
Small or Court Sword (Victorian), England, 19th Century. Cut steel hilt with faceted studs; urn-type pommel with tang button. Cut steel turn-down guard decorated with faceted rivets and three etched stars; small pas-d`anes; knuckle bow with faceted studs. 30 ¼" double-edged straight blade with triangular hollow ground. Black leather scabbard with two steel mounts with banded motifs and faceted frog button.
The similarities are evident and the condition is comparable, I wonder if my example was made by the same manufacturers, although unfortunately this example appears to be lacking any markings as well. While it is possible that the sellers got the age wrong, I will remain hopeful that my epee is from the late 19th Century!
Have a great holiday, thank you.
Kind regards,
Chris