Opinions on this sword

M ELEY · 28th August 2009, 07:00 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

On my meager budget, decided to bid on this old piece. What attracted me to it was its primitive construction and iron-ribbed grip on the hilt. IMHO, I suspect that its Spanish colonial, blacksmith-made. The bent iron stirrup bar hilt places it late 18th/early 19th. Ribbed iron grips like this also appeared in this time frame and were associated with boarding cutlasses and such (the M1803 started this patterning and numerous "private purchase" sea service swords copied the ribbed iron grip pattern in numerous ways). As far as I'm aware, no swords prior to the late 1790's had swords with ribbed iron, but that is why I'm posting this- to see if anyone knows of any examples I am unaware of?
Likewise, I know there's not a ton of proof that this is a naval piece (primitive iron, ribbed grip, darkened patina from salt corrosion, perhaps?

), but I think it's a strong possibility. Opinions?

28th August 2009, 07:00 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,073	Opinions on this sword http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT On my meager budget, decided to bid on this old piece. What attracted me to it was its primitive construction and iron-ribbed grip on the hilt. IMHO, I suspect that its Spanish colonial, blacksmith-made. The bent iron stirrup bar hilt places it late 18th/early 19th. Ribbed iron grips like this also appeared in this time frame and were associated with boarding cutlasses and such (the M1803 started this patterning and numerous "private purchase" sea service swords copied the ribbed iron grip pattern in numerous ways). As far as I'm aware, no swords prior to the late 1790's had swords with ribbed iron, but that is why I'm posting this- to see if anyone knows of any examples I am unaware of? Likewise, I know there's not a ton of proof that this is a naval piece (primitive iron, ribbed grip, darkened patina from salt corrosion, perhaps? ), but I think it's a strong possibility. Opinions? Last edited by M ELEY; 28th August 2009 at 07:16 AM.