regiment markings on swords

Jim McDougall · 19th September 2011, 11:34 PM

Michael, it was very much typical to mark the swords of the rank and file of military units, typically showing the unit as well as applicable inventory numbers in these times. While familiar with the British units, it seems that most European and others did this as well.
The officers usually ordered thier own weapons privately so inventory type stamps did not apply.
Naturally a great deal of this data can be found on line these days, if I recall correctly in the B.C. days (before computer) we used Robson quite a lot for British markings and 'Hughes & Fox' a small pamphlet for British and German unit abbreviations.

Swords were marked usually on both hilt and scabbard throat, i.e.
2D =2nd Dragoons, Royal Scots Greys

other inventory marks below

I'm not sure how the French and German units were in markings in Napoleonic times.

BTW, while not familiar with what you mean by Prince of Wales mark, I know it was the device to the 10th Prince of Wales Own Hussars.

19th September 2011, 11:34 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Michael, it was very much typical to mark the swords of the rank and file of military units, typically showing the unit as well as applicable inventory numbers in these times. While familiar with the British units, it seems that most European and others did this as well. The officers usually ordered thier own weapons privately so inventory type stamps did not apply. Naturally a great deal of this data can be found on line these days, if I recall correctly in the B.C. days (before computer) we used Robson quite a lot for British markings and 'Hughes & Fox' a small pamphlet for British and German unit abbreviations. Swords were marked usually on both hilt and scabbard throat, i.e. 2D =2nd Dragoons, Royal Scots Greys other inventory marks below I'm not sure how the French and German units were in markings in Napoleonic times. BTW, while not familiar with what you mean by Prince of Wales mark, I know it was the device to the 10th Prince of Wales Own Hussars.