sword for id

Cerjak · 5th April 2013, 03:25 PM

who could tell me more about this sword.
markings MOLE & WD
blade 31''
origin, age ?

laEspadaAncha · 5th April 2013, 05:31 PM

I wish I could provide a more definitive answer, but for some reason the words "India" and "Jim McDougall" come to mind...

The cant of the hilt relative to the axis of the blade reminds me more of some Prussian/German late-19th century patterns than it does any corresponding British pattern infantry sword (Mole produced blades under contract for the crown for quite some time). Furthermore, as far as I can see, all the late, straight-bladed British patterns had a single, wide fuller, as opposed to the small, narrow fuller as shown in your example. Lastly, that funky, two-bar hilt doesn't resonate in the slightest (somebody needs to turn on the giant, Winnebago-shaped spotlight

)...

So, I guess I'm going to go with either a) an offshore contract or repurposed blade for a commonwealth (most likely India IMO), or b) a later Indian-made non-reg pattern, Frankenblade, or repro fantasy piece.

thinreadline · 9th April 2013, 07:48 AM

It is certainly not 'right' , it is not a British sword despite WD & Mole, and although I believe Mole did make swords under contract, theses would NOT be marked WD obviously . I agree with laEspadaAncha about its origins ... but would add that the kindest interpretation is that it a composite mismatch of hilt and blade . I recall in the early 1970s World Wide Arms used to have for sale all sorts of weird stuff of recent manufacture in India and lots of it had spurious 'Mole' or 'Manton' markings but were mere fantasy pieces. As time progressed they got better at it !

CutlassCollector · 9th April 2013, 01:38 PM

It's an odd looking combination of blade and hilt. The hilt looks similar to, or a copy of, a 19th century coastguard cutlass with the quillion removed. Same hilt with short curved cutlass blade - see photos.
There is also an Army Hospital Corps sword with a similar hilt/guard in Harvey Withers's World Sword's. CC

Cerjak · 9th April 2013, 02:42 PM

Yes it is Exact ,now I can see that the quillon was broken and it's why we can see a difference of color in the hilt.( you could see it in the picture with Mole marks)
I don't think that it is a copy but a sword with damaged hilt.
Thank you for your help

Cerjak

CutlassCollector · 9th April 2013, 09:05 PM

Hi Cerjak, pleased to be able to help. Can't help with the blade though.
Mine is a cutlass - see picture and the Hospital Corps sword blade is not like your blade either - one can be viewed at antiquearmsandarmour.com
CC

5th April 2013, 03:25 PM	#1
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,064	sword for id who could tell me more about this sword. markings MOLE & WD blade 31'' origin, age ? Attached Images

9th April 2013, 01:38 PM	#4
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 322	It's an odd looking combination of blade and hilt. The hilt looks similar to, or a copy of, a 19th century coastguard cutlass with the quillion removed. Same hilt with short curved cutlass blade - see photos. There is also an Army Hospital Corps sword with a similar hilt/guard in Harvey Withers's World Sword's. CC Attached Images

9th April 2013, 09:05 PM	#6
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 322	Hi Cerjak, pleased to be able to help. Can't help with the blade though. Mine is a cutlass - see picture and the Hospital Corps sword blade is not like your blade either - one can be viewed at antiquearmsandarmour.com CC Attached Images

5th April 2013, 05:31 PM	#2
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	I wish I could provide a more definitive answer, but for some reason the words "India" and "Jim McDougall" come to mind... The cant of the hilt relative to the axis of the blade reminds me more of some Prussian/German late-19th century patterns than it does any corresponding British pattern infantry sword (Mole produced blades under contract for the crown for quite some time). Furthermore, as far as I can see, all the late, straight-bladed British patterns had a single, wide fuller, as opposed to the small, narrow fuller as shown in your example. Lastly, that funky, two-bar hilt doesn't resonate in the slightest (somebody needs to turn on the giant, Winnebago-shaped spotlight )... So, I guess I'm going to go with either a) an offshore contract or repurposed blade for a commonwealth (most likely India IMO), or b) a later Indian-made non-reg pattern, Frankenblade, or repro fantasy piece.

9th April 2013, 07:48 AM	#3
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	It is certainly not 'right' , it is not a British sword despite WD & Mole, and although I believe Mole did make swords under contract, theses would NOT be marked WD obviously . I agree with laEspadaAncha about its origins ... but would add that the kindest interpretation is that it a composite mismatch of hilt and blade . I recall in the early 1970s World Wide Arms used to have for sale all sorts of weird stuff of recent manufacture in India and lots of it had spurious 'Mole' or 'Manton' markings but were mere fantasy pieces. As time progressed they got better at it !

9th April 2013, 02:42 PM	#5
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,064	Yes it is Exact ,now I can see that the quillon was broken and it's why we can see a difference of color in the hilt.( you could see it in the picture with Mole marks) I don't think that it is a copy but a sword with damaged hilt. Thank you for your help Cerjak