Sword for identification

Dmitry · 9th September 2010, 02:15 PM

Looking at the up-close photo, I will stand myself corrected. This was no sand paper. It was a belt-grinder and sand-paper.
There are two options here for me.
1. The threaded tang indicates that this blade was mated to a pommel that was not original to it. In other words, this blade was recently taken off a composite sword. The blade decorations may have been refreshed and re-cut. We see that in the antique firearms market.
2. The other explanation for a threaded tang is that the blade is 19th century, from an old style officer's sword-rapier, like an Austrian infantry sword, or a British household cavalry dress sword, both from the first quarter of the 1800s. Blades of this style were in vogue with the upper echelons of the officer class for a short time, and were produced to imitate the earlier styles.

GIO · 9th September 2010, 02:52 PM

Thanks again to everybody.
Frankly, one of my first assumptions was it could be an Austrian civil servant sword for ceremonies. Does the scabbard in no way help ?

stephen wood · 9th September 2010, 11:20 PM

I think it has been ground.

celtan · 11th September 2010, 04:29 PM

That's not its scabbard
Manuel

celtan · 11th September 2010, 04:30 PM

GIO · 15th September 2010, 10:48 AM

Hi Manuel,
thanks for your remarks, but in my opinion the blade has to be related to an XIX cent. environment. In this case the scabbard (which fits perfectly) could be considered as proper.
The blade is shorter and thicker if compared to that of a XVII cent. rapier (see my very first pic), and also the conditions of the blade makes me suppose of a not too long life.
Best regards to all cooperating friends.
GIO

9th September 2010, 02:15 PM	#1
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	Looking at the up-close photo, I will stand myself corrected. This was no sand paper. It was a belt-grinder and sand-paper. There are two options here for me. 1. The threaded tang indicates that this blade was mated to a pommel that was not original to it. In other words, this blade was recently taken off a composite sword. The blade decorations may have been refreshed and re-cut. We see that in the antique firearms market. 2. The other explanation for a threaded tang is that the blade is 19th century, from an old style officer's sword-rapier, like an Austrian infantry sword, or a British household cavalry dress sword, both from the first quarter of the 1800s. Blades of this style were in vogue with the upper echelons of the officer class for a short time, and were produced to imitate the earlier styles.

9th September 2010, 02:52 PM	#2
GIO Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 328	Thanks again to everybody. Frankly, one of my first assumptions was it could be an Austrian civil servant sword for ceremonies. Does the scabbard in no way help ?

9th September 2010, 11:20 PM	#3
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	I think it has been ground.

11th September 2010, 04:29 PM	#4
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	That's not its scabbard Manuel

11th September 2010, 04:30 PM	#5
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679

15th September 2010, 10:48 AM	#6
GIO Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 328	Hi Manuel, thanks for your remarks, but in my opinion the blade has to be related to an XIX cent. environment. In this case the scabbard (which fits perfectly) could be considered as proper. The blade is shorter and thicker if compared to that of a XVII cent. rapier (see my very first pic), and also the conditions of the blade makes me suppose of a not too long life. Best regards to all cooperating friends. GIO