Viribus Unitis (Austro-hungarian Sword)

Jim McDougall · 17th September 2012, 03:42 PM

Donny, that is exactly to attitude and approach that I sincerely wish was more prevalent in the world of arms collecting! The weapons are the sentinels of the history they have seen, and altogether too many simply match the weapon to a picture in a book, classify it, and hang it on the wall.
Well done!

As to how it ended up in Indonesia, there are many possibilities, but without sound provenance only speculations can be offered. Naturally with the profound trade internationally which focused on the East Indies, there are many situations involving diplomatic and trade relations, and probably circumstances which would align with the period of the sword. Then of course, an item might have simply been brought back by someone who had contact with another and acquired the sword as an item of interest or curiosity.
There are countless cases of items turning up in completely incongruent circumstances vast distances away, but the global nature of trade routes, travel and networking is by far not a modern phenomenon.
Whatever the case, it is a wonderful sword, and again, thank you for sharing it here.

All the best,
Jim

Dmitry · 17th September 2012, 04:13 PM

This is an Austro-Hungarian civil servants' parade or court sword. Swords like this are frequently encountered on the market. The original scabbard had two gilt brass fittings, the top locked had a button on the front, to be worn on a shoulder sling.

satsujinken · 18th September 2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmitry

This is an Austro-Hungarian civil servants' parade or court sword. Swords like this are frequently encountered on the market. The original scabbard had two gilt brass fittings, the top locked had a button on the front, to be worn on a shoulder sling.

this is another enlightenment ... thank you Dmitry

is there any information on where I can purchase the scabbard ?? as mine is losing its scabbard

Dmitry · 19th September 2012, 04:47 AM

I would advise to just leave it the way it is. It would be difficult to find a period scabbard that would fit your blade.

This company can make you a new scabbard. To do a good job, I'd assume they would probably need to have your sword sent to them.
http://www.crisp-and-sons.com/aboutus.htm

satsujinken · 19th September 2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmitry

I would advise to just leave it the way it is. It would be difficult to find a period scabbard that would fit your blade.

This company can make you a new scabbard. To do a good job, I'd assume they would probably need to have your sword sent to them.
http://www.crisp-and-sons.com/aboutus.htm

thanks, Dmitry

really appreciate the information, but I am afraid that it's gonna cost me too much to send the sword to them

17th September 2012, 03:42 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,578	Donny, that is exactly to attitude and approach that I sincerely wish was more prevalent in the world of arms collecting! The weapons are the sentinels of the history they have seen, and altogether too many simply match the weapon to a picture in a book, classify it, and hang it on the wall. Well done! As to how it ended up in Indonesia, there are many possibilities, but without sound provenance only speculations can be offered. Naturally with the profound trade internationally which focused on the East Indies, there are many situations involving diplomatic and trade relations, and probably circumstances which would align with the period of the sword. Then of course, an item might have simply been brought back by someone who had contact with another and acquired the sword as an item of interest or curiosity. There are countless cases of items turning up in completely incongruent circumstances vast distances away, but the global nature of trade routes, travel and networking is by far not a modern phenomenon. Whatever the case, it is a wonderful sword, and again, thank you for sharing it here. All the best, Jim

17th September 2012, 04:13 PM	#2
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	This is an Austro-Hungarian civil servants' parade or court sword. Swords like this are frequently encountered on the market. The original scabbard had two gilt brass fittings, the top locked had a button on the front, to be worn on a shoulder sling.

19th September 2012, 04:47 AM	#4
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	I would advise to just leave it the way it is. It would be difficult to find a period scabbard that would fit your blade. This company can make you a new scabbard. To do a good job, I'd assume they would probably need to have your sword sent to them. http://www.crisp-and-sons.com/aboutus.htm