Corpse carrier sword 19thc Austro-Hungary and mourning swords

Jim McDougall · 20th July 2025, 02:05 AM

Thank you so much for coming in on this! I knew I could count on you. You are one of the few people who has a grasp for this kind of sword esoterica, and indeed we have discussed this before. As was indicated back then, it was an unusual item then...and I do believe it was for both court and military funerals.

While a macabre aspect of the swords spectrum, so are mourning swords, which is why I included those in the heading.
I know I have the reference I was told sourced this, but it is yet somewhere in the mountains of notes I am going through.

M ELEY · 20th July 2025, 05:00 AM

Thanks, Jim. I forgot to mention the sellers dated it to around 1850-60.

I've always been fascinated with mourning swords, but don't have much to add. I know many smallswords were later blackened for such occasions. I'm assuming the metal was 'pickled', just like the Japanese used to do to darken the metal. However, I've also heard that blackened rapiers/smallswords were carried by the town guard/sargeants patrolling the streets? In any case, hope some others can come in with examples of mourning weapons-

Jim McDougall · 20th July 2025, 01:42 PM

Thanks Capn, that date seems right, and Im determined to find that note on the title on Austro-Hungarian focus that is said to hold the material on this sword type and context.

With the MOURNING type swords, as esoterica, these are not specifically mentioned in any references on swords except for the faithful J.D.Aylward ("The Smallsword in England" (1945. p.54-55).
Here it is described that early 'mourning swords' were cheaply made productions with hilts of blackened steel and grips of steel wire in keeping with the strictest 18th century convention of wearing black in mourning. However they were worn with any sober dress apparently outside the mourning period it seems.

The later ones were of cut steel with upper side of shell decorated in star pattern, grips of copper wire or blued steel in keeping with dark tone of the weapon.
Many of these had fine engraved blades, and while typically not used in true fighting, at least one case noted in Aylward lists as fatal duel where one was used.
These were not only for the typically brief period of mourning, but were essentially, according to Aylward, an unobtrusive town weapon.

In checking through references having to do with funerary matters, customs etc. while all manner of etiquette, fashions, and of course tombstones etc are thoroughly included....as always, there is not the slightest hint that the SWORD would be recognized in the matter of fashion.

I do hope that this arcane area of the sword might attract the interest of at least some students of the sword, those of course who study in the more esoteric aspects. Perhaps we might find some examples of these used in the wardrobes of notable figures, in Aylward it is noted that in the estate of one man, he had four swords....two of them 'mourning'.

Thank you again Capn!

Jim McDougall · 20th July 2025, 02:48 PM

Found some examples :
It seems the fashion for these types of swords by 1790s had evolved into the cut steel neoclassic styles which were produced by Matthew Boulton of Soho and followed by other shops. These were often elaborate and highly embellished with beading and piercings.

Jim McDougall · 20th July 2025, 02:56 PM

According to OED, the first evidence of the noun MOURNING SWORD was in a letter authored by John Verney (1640-1717), 1st Viscount of Fermanagh, of Middle Clayton, Bucks.

Jim McDougall · 20th July 2025, 03:12 PM

This Italian smallsword is listed as smallsword with 'blackened hilt' and copper wire grip, noting these types of swords were often 'misleadingly' called mourning swords. It is claimed that this style of decoration was actually in accord with dark toned clothing favored by men in fashion in these times.

I disagree with this assessment as it is well noted that these swords were NOT exclusively used in mourning and funerary occasions but also worn in occasions where somber or unobtrusive weapon would be worn.

Also, the notion that the early versions of these were cheaply made with poor blades (Aylward, 1945) seems to be perhaps an exception, possibly in England. This Italian example of end of 17th century has the triangular blade of 33" which was in following with formidable light rapiers becoming the fashion in civilian swords of the time.

M ELEY · 20th July 2025, 11:28 PM

Here's my one and only smallsword from my collection. Although not naval per sae, Annis & May mention Spanish sea captains being partial to smallswords. In any case, althoug 'dainty', mine has the correct design pattern for a 'real' smallsword, including knuckle bow, pas d'ane, bilobate guard, etc. The blade is a trifoil, very sharp with no markings. I used to think this Plain Jane might just be an American knock-off of its fancier Euro cousins, but with the balckened hilt and blade, I'm now suspecting this to be an earlier 18th c. mourning smallsword? The grip wrap is a replacement that someone darkened to match the sword. I think you are right, Jim, that these still were functional pieces for un-dress occasions. Now if I'm wrong, folks, let me know as I am no expert on smallswords-

20th July 2025, 02:48 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,559	Mourning swords c1790-1800 Found some examples : It seems the fashion for these types of swords by 1790s had evolved into the cut steel neoclassic styles which were produced by Matthew Boulton of Soho and followed by other shops. These were often elaborate and highly embellished with beading and piercings. Attached Images

20th July 2025, 02:56 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,559	Term: mourning sword According to OED, the first evidence of the noun MOURNING SWORD was in a letter authored by John Verney (1640-1717), 1st Viscount of Fermanagh, of Middle Clayton, Bucks.

20th July 2025, 03:12 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,559	Italian smallsword 1690-1720 This Italian smallsword is listed as smallsword with 'blackened hilt' and copper wire grip, noting these types of swords were often 'misleadingly' called mourning swords. It is claimed that this style of decoration was actually in accord with dark toned clothing favored by men in fashion in these times. I disagree with this assessment as it is well noted that these swords were NOT exclusively used in mourning and funerary occasions but also worn in occasions where somber or unobtrusive weapon would be worn. Also, the notion that the early versions of these were cheaply made with poor blades (Aylward, 1945) seems to be perhaps an exception, possibly in England. This Italian example of end of 17th century has the triangular blade of 33" which was in following with formidable light rapiers becoming the fashion in civilian swords of the time. Attached Images

20th July 2025, 11:28 PM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,192	Mourning sword? Here's my one and only smallsword from my collection. Although not naval per sae, Annis & May mention Spanish sea captains being partial to smallswords. In any case, althoug 'dainty', mine has the correct design pattern for a 'real' smallsword, including knuckle bow, pas d'ane, bilobate guard, etc. The blade is a trifoil, very sharp with no markings. I used to think this Plain Jane might just be an American knock-off of its fancier Euro cousins, but with the balckened hilt and blade, I'm now suspecting this to be an earlier 18th c. mourning smallsword? The grip wrap is a replacement that someone darkened to match the sword. I think you are right, Jim, that these still were functional pieces for un-dress occasions. Now if I'm wrong, folks, let me know as I am no expert on smallswords- Attached Images

20th July 2025, 02:05 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,559	Thank you so much for coming in on this! I knew I could count on you. You are one of the few people who has a grasp for this kind of sword esoterica, and indeed we have discussed this before. As was indicated back then, it was an unusual item then...and I do believe it was for both court and military funerals. While a macabre aspect of the swords spectrum, so are mourning swords, which is why I included those in the heading. I know I have the reference I was told sourced this, but it is yet somewhere in the mountains of notes I am going through.

20th July 2025, 05:00 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,192	Thanks, Jim. I forgot to mention the sellers dated it to around 1850-60. I've always been fascinated with mourning swords, but don't have much to add. I know many smallswords were later blackened for such occasions. I'm assuming the metal was 'pickled', just like the Japanese used to do to darken the metal. However, I've also heard that blackened rapiers/smallswords were carried by the town guard/sargeants patrolling the streets? In any case, hope some others can come in with examples of mourning weapons-

20th July 2025, 01:42 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,559	Thanks Capn, that date seems right, and Im determined to find that note on the title on Austro-Hungarian focus that is said to hold the material on this sword type and context. With the MOURNING type swords, as esoterica, these are not specifically mentioned in any references on swords except for the faithful J.D.Aylward ("The Smallsword in England" (1945. p.54-55). Here it is described that early 'mourning swords' were cheaply made productions with hilts of blackened steel and grips of steel wire in keeping with the strictest 18th century convention of wearing black in mourning. However they were worn with any sober dress apparently outside the mourning period it seems. The later ones were of cut steel with upper side of shell decorated in star pattern, grips of copper wire or blued steel in keeping with dark tone of the weapon. Many of these had fine engraved blades, and while typically not used in true fighting, at least one case noted in Aylward lists as fatal duel where one was used. These were not only for the typically brief period of mourning, but were essentially, according to Aylward, an unobtrusive town weapon. In checking through references having to do with funerary matters, customs etc. while all manner of etiquette, fashions, and of course tombstones etc are thoroughly included....as always, there is not the slightest hint that the SWORD would be recognized in the matter of fashion. I do hope that this arcane area of the sword might attract the interest of at least some students of the sword, those of course who study in the more esoteric aspects. Perhaps we might find some examples of these used in the wardrobes of notable figures, in Aylward it is noted that in the estate of one man, he had four swords....two of them 'mourning'. Thank you again Capn!