Alex Coppel Solingen Sabre

[Ian Knight]

Hello Gene,
You are very welcome.
The Prussian Model 1811 'Blucher' sabre was very similar to a British P1796 light cavalry sabre. The obvious differences are that the Prussian M1811 has a knucklebow/crossguard of heavier contruction and the scabbard has a more pronounced shoe/drag than the P1796.
The basic design of the M1811 with its stirrup shaped knucklebow was used for many years by Germany right up to WW2.
The British P1796 was, on the other hand, superceded by the P1821 light cavalry sabre.
I have attached a photo of one of my British P1796 sabres for a comparison with your very nice Prussian Artilleryman's sword.
The other two photos are of a Prussian M1811 note the hilt and scabbard drag.
Ian

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Ian Knight

Hello Gene,
You are very welcome.
The Prussian Model 1811 'Blucher' sabre was very similar to a British P1796 light cavalry sabre. The obvious differences are that the Prussian M1811 has a knucklebow/crossguard of heavier contruction and the scabbard has a more pronounced shoe/drag than the P1796.
The basic design of the M1811 with its stirrup shaped knucklebow was used for many years by Germany right up to WW2.
The British P1796 was, on the other hand, superceded by the P1821 light cavalry sabre.
I have attached a photo of one of my British P1796 sabres for a comparison with your very nice Prussian Artilleryman's sword.
Ian

Hi Ian,
Do they mark like we do? As in year of pattern and issue?
Here are some more pics, now I'm a bit more awake, lol

[Atlantia]

Thanks for the pics, mine's definately a slimmer type isn't it?

[Ian Knight]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Thanks for the pics, mine's definately a slimmer type isn't it?

Gene,
The blade on your sabre has a spear point. P1796 & M1811 blades had hatchet pointed blades in the main.
The blade on one of my P1796 sabres is 4cm wide at its widest (10cm from the point) and 85cm long.
A P1796 blade is a vicious looking thing and caused horrific injuries.
Ian

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Ian Knight

Gene,
The blade on your sabre has a spear point. P1796 & M1811 blades had hatchet pointed blades in the main.
The blade on one of my P1796 sabres is 4cm wide at its widest (10cm from the point) and 85cm long.
A P1796 blade is a vicious looking thing and caused horrific injuries.
Ian

Mine is not sharpened, nor has it ever been. It's just a stabber!
Blade 66cm across the curve, 3cm wide. Weight in scabbard 1900g - 4 1/4 lb.

[Ian Knight]

Hello Gene,
Your sword is marked with a Crown above the letter 'W' for Wilhelm II.

Britain did have very similar markings for their arms which started, I believe, in 1870. Further changes were made to the way Britain's arms were marked in 1881 and then again in 1912.
Ian

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Ian Knight

Hello Gene,
Your sword is marked with a Crown above the letter 'W' for Wilhelm II.

Britain did have very similar markings for their arms which started, I believe, in 1870. Further changes were made to the way Britain's arms were marked in 1881 and then again in 1912.
Ian

Ah, Kaiser Bill!
So are the '96' and '02' dates?

[Ian Knight]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Ah, Kaiser Bill!
So are the '96' and '02' dates?

Indeed they are.

Ian

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Ian Knight

Indeed they are.

Ian

So issued in 1902? Wonder what were the Prussian military (So imperial Germany?) up to in 1902?

[Ian Knight]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

So issued in 1902? Wonder what were the Prussian military (So imperial Germany?) up to in 1902?

Armies still have to be equipped even in peacetime.
Ian