Unknown European Sword

Jim McDougall · 4th April 2017, 09:03 PM

Very nice sleuthing Norman!!!
This one has been driving me nuts

and as Carlos noted, the hilt style in very much in line with Spanish officers swords, but this classical noir theme is really a puzzle. I found a bronze Chinese sword (B.C.) which had a warrior or human face forward, with the Chinese type dragon heads on each side facing outward in the same configuration.
It is clear this is a courtly sword of some kind, and in this sphere (Iberia, France and Italy) classical themes seem to have been employed allegorically quite often in material culture, extending into weaponry fashion.

It would be great to find out what this arrangement means, and it is amazing you found these other examples!!!

carlos · 4th April 2017, 10:27 PM

Another similar sword ...

Norman McCormick · 4th April 2017, 11:24 PM

Hi Carlos,
I think you've hit the nail on the head. The first sword C1850 has more or less the same configuration re pommel and crossguard as my sword. I would now say with reasonable confidence that my sword is a Spanish officer's sword from the reign of Isabella II. The blade on mine seems more substantial than those illustrated and being of a reasonable length it may be a dress sword for cavalry rather than infantry. Many thanks for your efforts on my behalf.
My Regards,
Norman.

carlos · 5th April 2017, 01:25 PM

Thanks to you , thanks for post this beautiful sword !
best regards
carlos

Hotspur · 6th April 2017, 09:33 AM

The pommel is familiar enough that I'll add this one I had bought as French. The grip is plastic.

Cheers

GC

4th April 2017, 10:27 PM	#2
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	Another similar sword ... Attached Images

6th April 2017, 09:33 AM	#5
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 535	The pommel is familiar enough that I'll add this one I had bought as French. The grip is plastic. Cheers GC Attached Images

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4th April 2017, 09:03 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	Very nice sleuthing Norman!!! This one has been driving me nuts and as Carlos noted, the hilt style in very much in line with Spanish officers swords, but this classical noir theme is really a puzzle. I found a bronze Chinese sword (B.C.) which had a warrior or human face forward, with the Chinese type dragon heads on each side facing outward in the same configuration. It is clear this is a courtly sword of some kind, and in this sphere (Iberia, France and Italy) classical themes seem to have been employed allegorically quite often in material culture, extending into weaponry fashion. It would be great to find out what this arrangement means, and it is amazing you found these other examples!!!

4th April 2017, 11:24 PM	#3
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,646	Hi Carlos, I think you've hit the nail on the head. The first sword C1850 has more or less the same configuration re pommel and crossguard as my sword. I would now say with reasonable confidence that my sword is a Spanish officer's sword from the reign of Isabella II. The blade on mine seems more substantial than those illustrated and being of a reasonable length it may be a dress sword for cavalry rather than infantry. Many thanks for your efforts on my behalf. My Regards, Norman.

5th April 2017, 01:25 PM	#4
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	Thanks to you , thanks for post this beautiful sword ! best regards carlos