DOUBLE HEAD EAGLE MARKED/ENGRAVED BLADES

Jim McDougall · 1st October 2010, 06:46 AM

Sorry nobody has responded on this, so I'll have a go at it.

The double headed eagle is as you have shown, a recurring device in motif on sword blades, however it cannot be presumed that all motif with this type eagle signifies manufacture in Austria. This is decorative motif and not anything to do with makers or region of production so its important to keep that perspective.

There are occasions however, in which a stamped eagle could signify military acceptance or regimental issue as I discovered recently on a sword I thought was German, and a single head eagle, which turned out double headed and Austrian. Again, these were military associated stamps, not makers marks.
There are likely makers stamped markings using these eagles, but again, large inscribed motif is wholly different.

The double headed eagle was used by Austria, which actually was part of the Holy Roman Empire 1250-1806) as Austria-Hungary.

These double head eagles were also used by the Byzantine Empire, and later adopted by Russia .

The double headed eagle is symbolic of the Masonic Scottish Rite.

These are just a few of the possibilities, so I think it is important to look at the overall context, the entire sword it is found upon; other markings and motif included; as well as any other clues associated with the sword.

The threads you haved linked show great illustrations and information, but I realize you would like to see more examples, and I agree. Hopefully others will add examples showing the motif and sword itself and lets see if we can get a comprehensive look at variations!

All the best,
Jim

1st October 2010, 06:46 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,510	Sorry nobody has responded on this, so I'll have a go at it. The double headed eagle is as you have shown, a recurring device in motif on sword blades, however it cannot be presumed that all motif with this type eagle signifies manufacture in Austria. This is decorative motif and not anything to do with makers or region of production so its important to keep that perspective. There are occasions however, in which a stamped eagle could signify military acceptance or regimental issue as I discovered recently on a sword I thought was German, and a single head eagle, which turned out double headed and Austrian. Again, these were military associated stamps, not makers marks. There are likely makers stamped markings using these eagles, but again, large inscribed motif is wholly different. The double headed eagle was used by Austria, which actually was part of the Holy Roman Empire 1250-1806) as Austria-Hungary. These double head eagles were also used by the Byzantine Empire, and later adopted by Russia . The double headed eagle is symbolic of the Masonic Scottish Rite. These are just a few of the possibilities, so I think it is important to look at the overall context, the entire sword it is found upon; other markings and motif included; as well as any other clues associated with the sword. The threads you haved linked show great illustrations and information, but I realize you would like to see more examples, and I agree. Hopefully others will add examples showing the motif and sword itself and lets see if we can get a comprehensive look at variations! All the best, Jim