What is this sword? Possibly British 1800s ...

ConfederateCanuck · 6th May 2020, 06:58 PM

Hi. I am new to this Forum and am hoping to help my friend identify a sword that he was told was an Austrian Infantry sabre from the mid-1800s.

After trying to do my own online searches, I have been unable to figure out what this sword actually is. From what I have seen online, I get the sense that it is European (Austrian, German, French???) and is likely from the mid-to-late 1800s, possibly into the early 1900s, but I am new to the world of swords (I did recently buy an 1860 Cavalry Sabre from the American Civil War, so I guess I have finally entered into world of sword collecting).

Due to COVID, I have not been able to see my friend’s sword in person. He showed it to me via a video chat, and the pictures I am about to display are screenshots from that video. So, the quality of the pictures aren’t the greatest, but I can get better pictures later if needed.

The guard of the sword has a distinctive shape, which I hope will be enough for you to pinpoint which model of sword this is. There are no markings anywhere on the blade or the scabbard, other than a “181” stamped on the pommel and the tip of the scabbard. I don’t have a good picture of the scabbard, but it is brass and black leather (brass at the hilt, more brass about 10-15 cm further below, plus brass at the tip).

If you need any other information, please ask and I’ll get you answers. As a member of other Forums, I know how helpful everyone can be….so I will thank you in advance for all your help!

Again, apologies for the sub-standard pictures!

David R · 7th May 2020, 10:48 AM

Very blurry photo's and too much hand, not enough sword. You might be lucky, but it would be better to have clear pic's and taken in the manner of a police ID set. Full face, left profile, right profile etc.... However, I am getting a British vibe from what I can see.

fernando · 7th May 2020, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

Very blurry photo's and too much hand, not enough sword. You might be lucky, but it would be better to have clear pic's and taken in the manner of a police ID set. Full face, left profile, right profile etc ...

Amen to that David

.

ConfederateCanuck · 7th May 2020, 02:16 PM

I agree the photos are blurry, but the guard is very clear to see. Wouldn't that be the biggest clue?

In the meantime, I will ask for photos. Thanks.

corrado26 · 7th May 2020, 02:29 PM

What I can say is that this sabre is probably not French, German or Austrian, but perhaps British.

ConfederateCanuck · 7th May 2020, 02:47 PM

Thanks for your opinion. We have two opinions that match (British). I started looking online at British swords from the 1800s and I can definitely see the similarities.

The information from the Forum has already proved useful! Hopefully, we can get this identified...that would be really great. My friend has had this sword for 40 years and he never really was sure of what it was or how to even find out.

He also had a musket, which he was told was from the War of 1812 (the one in North America). Being far more knowledgeable about antique muskets than I am about swords (almost zero knowledge), I was able to almost instantly identify it as an Austrian 1842 Pattern Musket, which most definitely was NOT used in 1812. These items had been passed down several generations through his family, but not the correct facts it seems.

By the way, I am a regular contributor on an American Civil War Forum (though I am a Canadian), so if anyone has questions about weapons from that conflict, message me and I will do my best to give/get you answers.

fernando · 7th May 2020, 03:49 PM

Welcome to the forum, Canuck ... and thank you for your offer concerning Civil War Weaponry info.
Can you show us that musket you are talking about ?

6th May 2020, 06:58 PM	#1
ConfederateCanuck Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 11	What is this sword? Possibly British 1800s ... Hi. I am new to this Forum and am hoping to help my friend identify a sword that he was told was an Austrian Infantry sabre from the mid-1800s. After trying to do my own online searches, I have been unable to figure out what this sword actually is. From what I have seen online, I get the sense that it is European (Austrian, German, French???) and is likely from the mid-to-late 1800s, possibly into the early 1900s, but I am new to the world of swords (I did recently buy an 1860 Cavalry Sabre from the American Civil War, so I guess I have finally entered into world of sword collecting). Due to COVID, I have not been able to see my friend’s sword in person. He showed it to me via a video chat, and the pictures I am about to display are screenshots from that video. So, the quality of the pictures aren’t the greatest, but I can get better pictures later if needed. The guard of the sword has a distinctive shape, which I hope will be enough for you to pinpoint which model of sword this is. There are no markings anywhere on the blade or the scabbard, other than a “181” stamped on the pommel and the tip of the scabbard. I don’t have a good picture of the scabbard, but it is brass and black leather (brass at the hilt, more brass about 10-15 cm further below, plus brass at the tip). If you need any other information, please ask and I’ll get you answers. As a member of other Forums, I know how helpful everyone can be….so I will thank you in advance for all your help! Again, apologies for the sub-standard pictures! Attached Images

7th May 2020, 10:48 AM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,052	Very blurry photo's and too much hand, not enough sword. You might be lucky, but it would be better to have clear pic's and taken in the manner of a police ID set. Full face, left profile, right profile etc.... However, I am getting a British vibe from what I can see.

7th May 2020, 02:16 PM	#4
ConfederateCanuck Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 11	I agree the photos are blurry, but the guard is very clear to see. Wouldn't that be the biggest clue? In the meantime, I will ask for photos. Thanks.

7th May 2020, 02:29 PM	#5
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,167	What I can say is that this sabre is probably not French, German or Austrian, but perhaps British.

7th May 2020, 02:47 PM	#6
ConfederateCanuck Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 11	Thanks for your opinion. We have two opinions that match (British). I started looking online at British swords from the 1800s and I can definitely see the similarities. The information from the Forum has already proved useful! Hopefully, we can get this identified...that would be really great. My friend has had this sword for 40 years and he never really was sure of what it was or how to even find out. He also had a musket, which he was told was from the War of 1812 (the one in North America). Being far more knowledgeable about antique muskets than I am about swords (almost zero knowledge), I was able to almost instantly identify it as an Austrian 1842 Pattern Musket, which most definitely was NOT used in 1812. These items had been passed down several generations through his family, but not the correct facts it seems. By the way, I am a regular contributor on an American Civil War Forum (though I am a Canadian), so if anyone has questions about weapons from that conflict, message me and I will do my best to give/get you answers.

7th May 2020, 03:49 PM	#7
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,641	Welcome to the forum, Canuck ... and thank you for your offer concerning Civil War Weaponry info. Can you show us that musket you are talking about ?