Austrian Funerary Sword

Jim McDougall · 6th January 2023, 02:55 AM

With discussions on the darkly termed English 'mortuary' swords of mid 17th century, the topic of mourning swords of 18th century into 19th has come up. These were typically of small sword or court/dress sword type and blackened in somber tone.

Years ago, I saw a most unusual sword listed in a catalog, as a 'corpse carriers sword' believed Austrian, and c. 1860s. I presumed this was likely meaning a 'pall bearers' sword. While intrigued by it, I missed the chance to get it.
However, years later (and I had not seen anything like it during) I saw it again, but this time did get it.

There was a reference with it suggesting the form noted in :
"With Drawn Sword: The Austro-Hungarian Weapons from 1848 to....."
by M.Christian Ortner & Erich Artlich. 2006.

I found this appropriately somber artwork that seemed to go with it, depicting East European coffin carriers.

Just a bit of edged weapon esoterica.

6th January 2023, 02:55 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,747	Austrian Funerary Sword With discussions on the darkly termed English 'mortuary' swords of mid 17th century, the topic of mourning swords of 18th century into 19th has come up. These were typically of small sword or court/dress sword type and blackened in somber tone. Years ago, I saw a most unusual sword listed in a catalog, as a 'corpse carriers sword' believed Austrian, and c. 1860s. I presumed this was likely meaning a 'pall bearers' sword. While intrigued by it, I missed the chance to get it. However, years later (and I had not seen anything like it during) I saw it again, but this time did get it. There was a reference with it suggesting the form noted in : "With Drawn Sword: The Austro-Hungarian Weapons from 1848 to....." by M.Christian Ortner & Erich Artlich. 2006. I found this appropriately somber artwork that seemed to go with it, depicting East European coffin carriers. Just a bit of edged weapon esoterica. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 6th January 2023 at 03:16 AM.