Help with identifying an Austrian sabre

[messia]

Hello everybody. I bought a saber at an auction, apparently Austrian, what do you say? I cannot find a similar model and understand the brand.

[corrado26]

As far as I can see this has nothing to do with Austria - it is a Württemberg officer sabre M 1817 which has been in use still during the First World War. The troop marking stands for the "Württembergisches Landwehr-Train Bataillon N°13".

[Jim McDougall]

It has always been amazing to me that these very early German sword types were in use so late and into WWI. It also seems that these stamped markings most often denote 'train battalion's'.
What exactly were 'train battalion's'?

Also, interestingly with the German units, especially cavalry and the use of obviously long outmoded lancers, it seems that in many cases, there was an almost anachronistic penchant for the pageantry of 19th century uniforms and weaponry.

The only other use of lances for example was perhaps some of the British Bengal Lancer and other units from other Indian states. Here of course, their own pageantry in uniform was evident.

Most overviews on WWI of course bring to mind khaki and drab utility uniforms and helmets slogging through muddy trenches in most of the armies involved, but the contrasts of these flamboyant units noted are colorfully fascinating.

[kronckew]

Train Battalions were infantry assigned specifically to ride on and guard military supply/troop trains.


Swedish Train Regiment Soldier with his
M1848 Swedish Faskinkniv

[messia]

Hi guys. Thank you so much for your answers. But the "Württemberg officer saber M 1817" has a different hilt from the saber that I sent you. Possibly a modification for the 'train battalion's' ?. I found a forum thread with a photo of sabers m1817, as well as a photo from a book, I want to share with you.
https://sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/t...-cavalry-sabre

[corrado26]

Originally Posted by messia

But the "Württemberg officer saber M 1817" has a different hilt from the saber that I sent you.

Don't forget that officers are in the situation to arm themselves on their own cost and could order sabres of their own taste. Over that it is not certain that the sword and its scabbard originally belonged together. The troop marking of the scabbard is missing at the sabre so that it is rather obvious that they have been put together later, very understandable in the long time this sabres had been in use.

[messia]

Hello. finally took the saber and took good pictures. I want to share with you, it seems to me that the scabbard is completely suitable for this item and there are no traces of the blade being re-sharpened under the other scabbard.

[messia]

Perhaps it will be convenient to look through Google's album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/m3Mvyik2egAf38i76