Austro-Hungarian cavalry sword M1869

kronckew · 2nd October 2021, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victrix

... What’s common for both versions are the elegant double slits for the wrist cord with tassel. ...

I have an Austrian artillery officer's sabre with the double slits in the upper portion of the narrow-ish guard. I've always been told they were for a sword knot. I also have a Swiss officer's sword with a highly decorated bowl guard that also has the Austrian style double slit. I have however never seen any Austrian or Swiss officers in illustrations/photos with a sword knot/portapee through those slits. I must assume they are there for another purpose.

The Austrian Artillery sword has a blade forte with a lot of floral engraving for about 6 inches, otherwise like the above one and is also plated and unsharpened, tho the edge is a dull 1mm or less and I would not want to be hit with it. The Swiss one is a rather nice pipe-backed and quill pointed patinated steel blade with a field sharp edge.

Victrix · 3rd October 2021, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

… I have however never seen any Austrian or Swiss officers in illustrations/photos with a sword knot/portapee through those slits. I must assume they are there for another purpose…

The slits are for the wrist cord/portapee. Looks rather smart in my opinion. It’s not easy to see properly, but it seems most of the soldiers in the photos wear the cord in the prescribed manner.

kronckew · 3rd October 2021, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victrix

The slits are for the wrist cord/portapee. Looks rather smart in my opinion. It’s not easy to see properly, but it seems most of the soldiers in the photos wear the cord in the prescribed manner.

OK, thanks for the info, I like it when I can learn something new each day. I stand corrected & have adjusted my knots to suit.

Victrix · 3rd October 2021, 01:22 PM

Kronckew, that looks extremely smart!

Now I need to figure out where to get hold of a k.k portepee to complete the look, following your example. I will make another washer for the sword as well, from a piece of red felt I have lying around already.

kronckew · 3rd October 2021, 05:05 PM

Me too. I've got a piece of red wool felt somewhere and some black leather. I've made red felt only sword washers, and some red felt fabric-glued to black leather where I was replacing an existing one. It had faded badly and had dried out crumbled leather. Can't seem to find anyone that actually makes them for sale. They help absorb impact when seating the sword, and keep out the weather, I put a dab of sheep lanolin on the felt. Very useful stuff. These two swords need washers, may make some soon. I've made just leather ones for a sword or two also. A proper washer completes the sword, as does an appropriate sword belt, frog, or baldric.

3rd October 2021, 01:22 PM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	Kronckew, that looks extremely smart! Now I need to figure out where to get hold of a k.k portepee to complete the look, following your example. I will make another washer for the sword as well, from a piece of red felt I have lying around already. Attached Images

3rd October 2021, 05:05 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	Me too. I've got a piece of red wool felt somewhere and some black leather. I've made red felt only sword washers, and some red felt fabric-glued to black leather where I was replacing an existing one. It had faded badly and had dried out crumbled leather. Can't seem to find anyone that actually makes them for sale. They help absorb impact when seating the sword, and keep out the weather, I put a dab of sheep lanolin on the felt. Very useful stuff. These two swords need washers, may make some soon. I've made just leather ones for a sword or two also. A proper washer completes the sword, as does an appropriate sword belt, frog, or baldric.