Dutch Naval Swords

Gavin Nugent · 6th September 2008, 06:39 AM

The markings or quality mark on these blades are "Yzerhouwer". They also sport floral engravings down the spine of the blade and on the blade too, also ships of the line and the famous naval fouled anchor.
I borrowed the following from another site;

From John Walter's book:

Eisenhauer...is the distinguishing mark of the so called Eisenhauerklinge ("iron cutting blade") found on swords manufactured in Germany... An Eisenhauerklinge was a blade in which the edges had been hardened using the process that the Moslem metalsmiths had used centuries before the method had been introduced to Solingen; the stamping "Eisenhauer" - or any number of native variations - was ultimately taken as a term of quality, analogous to the later "Echt damast" marking of the third Reich.
The Eisenhauer blades seem to have been first produced in Solingen in the middle of the 19th century, and such marks continued into the 20th.

Doesn't say what the actual process was though...

Walters also lists Coup de Fer (French, Belgian), Jernhugger (Danish), Jernhuggare (Swedish), Yzerhouwer (Dutch) and Russian cyrillic versions.

I must say these little beauties have some quality spring in the blade and when pushed into the floor boards can easily bend to a 45degree angle and bounce back with some force, I am guessing the would pass the wire bound wood or iron bar test too.

Gav

Gav

Jim McDougall · 6th September 2008, 06:52 AM

Gav, outstanding information on the Eisenhauer markings! Thank you for adding that detail.
These really are very appealing sabres, and that pipeback is indeed interesting. I can only imagine it was a strengthening feature David, and it was used a lot on British swords then discontinued. Like to know more on it as well, and wonder if other military swords used it.

6th September 2008, 06:39 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Markings The markings or quality mark on these blades are "Yzerhouwer". They also sport floral engravings down the spine of the blade and on the blade too, also ships of the line and the famous naval fouled anchor. I borrowed the following from another site; From John Walter's book: Eisenhauer...is the distinguishing mark of the so called Eisenhauerklinge ("iron cutting blade") found on swords manufactured in Germany... An Eisenhauerklinge was a blade in which the edges had been hardened using the process that the Moslem metalsmiths had used centuries before the method had been introduced to Solingen; the stamping "Eisenhauer" - or any number of native variations - was ultimately taken as a term of quality, analogous to the later "Echt damast" marking of the third Reich. The Eisenhauer blades seem to have been first produced in Solingen in the middle of the 19th century, and such marks continued into the 20th. Doesn't say what the actual process was though... Walters also lists Coup de Fer (French, Belgian), Jernhugger (Danish), Jernhuggare (Swedish), Yzerhouwer (Dutch) and Russian cyrillic versions. I must say these little beauties have some quality spring in the blade and when pushed into the floor boards can easily bend to a 45degree angle and bounce back with some force, I am guessing the would pass the wire bound wood or iron bar test too. Gav Gav

6th September 2008, 06:52 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,199	Gav, outstanding information on the Eisenhauer markings! Thank you for adding that detail. These really are very appealing sabres, and that pipeback is indeed interesting. I can only imagine it was a strengthening feature David, and it was used a lot on British swords then discontinued. Like to know more on it as well, and wonder if other military swords used it.