Corpse carrier sword 19thc Austro-Hungary and mourning swords

Jim McDougall · 20th July 2025, 01:42 PM

Thanks Capn, that date seems right, and Im determined to find that note on the title on Austro-Hungarian focus that is said to hold the material on this sword type and context.

With the MOURNING type swords, as esoterica, these are not specifically mentioned in any references on swords except for the faithful J.D.Aylward ("The Smallsword in England" (1945. p.54-55).
Here it is described that early 'mourning swords' were cheaply made productions with hilts of blackened steel and grips of steel wire in keeping with the strictest 18th century convention of wearing black in mourning. However they were worn with any sober dress apparently outside the mourning period it seems.

The later ones were of cut steel with upper side of shell decorated in star pattern, grips of copper wire or blued steel in keeping with dark tone of the weapon.
Many of these had fine engraved blades, and while typically not used in true fighting, at least one case noted in Aylward lists as fatal duel where one was used.
These were not only for the typically brief period of mourning, but were essentially, according to Aylward, an unobtrusive town weapon.

In checking through references having to do with funerary matters, customs etc. while all manner of etiquette, fashions, and of course tombstones etc are thoroughly included....as always, there is not the slightest hint that the SWORD would be recognized in the matter of fashion.

I do hope that this arcane area of the sword might attract the interest of at least some students of the sword, those of course who study in the more esoteric aspects. Perhaps we might find some examples of these used in the wardrobes of notable figures, in Aylward it is noted that in the estate of one man, he had four swords....two of them 'mourning'.

Thank you again Capn!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

20th July 2025, 01:42 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,562	Thanks Capn, that date seems right, and Im determined to find that note on the title on Austro-Hungarian focus that is said to hold the material on this sword type and context. With the MOURNING type swords, as esoterica, these are not specifically mentioned in any references on swords except for the faithful J.D.Aylward ("The Smallsword in England" (1945. p.54-55). Here it is described that early 'mourning swords' were cheaply made productions with hilts of blackened steel and grips of steel wire in keeping with the strictest 18th century convention of wearing black in mourning. However they were worn with any sober dress apparently outside the mourning period it seems. The later ones were of cut steel with upper side of shell decorated in star pattern, grips of copper wire or blued steel in keeping with dark tone of the weapon. Many of these had fine engraved blades, and while typically not used in true fighting, at least one case noted in Aylward lists as fatal duel where one was used. These were not only for the typically brief period of mourning, but were essentially, according to Aylward, an unobtrusive town weapon. In checking through references having to do with funerary matters, customs etc. while all manner of etiquette, fashions, and of course tombstones etc are thoroughly included....as always, there is not the slightest hint that the SWORD would be recognized in the matter of fashion. I do hope that this arcane area of the sword might attract the interest of at least some students of the sword, those of course who study in the more esoteric aspects. Perhaps we might find some examples of these used in the wardrobes of notable figures, in Aylward it is noted that in the estate of one man, he had four swords....two of them 'mourning'. Thank you again Capn!