Viribus Unitis (Austro-hungarian Sword)

satsujinken · 14th September 2012, 08:15 AM

Hello all

this is my second new thread here. Just want to share a unique story about this sword, which is now in my possession

according to Chladne Zbrane v Habsburske Monarchii - (Edged Weapons of Habsburg Monarchy), page 107, this sword is a sword of Austrian Higher Officials model 1878 :

details (from books above) :
Single edged sword, straight blade with fuller on both sides
wooden grip with mother-of-pearl handles
brass hilt with monogram FJI (Emperor Francis Joseph 1) and with slogan VIRIBUS UNITIS on lower ferrule
Lion's head shaped pommel. Bar Basket in form of snake with sprigs
Counterguard with Austrian Coat of Arms on outer side
Black leather scabbard with brass mouthpiece
Blade is solingen made, and from carbon steel, with chromium plating

now this is how I acquired the sword. It is in good condition. Unfortunately without original sheath, so previous owner made new one using leather

anyhow, the sword is now in much better condition as I have restored it perhaps into 80% of its former glory (restoration is still on the way)

hope you like it, any comments are welcome

Donny

satsujinken · 14th September 2012, 09:33 AM

according to the previous owner, this sword was found in heap of junks dated from pre 1945 era, and already found without sheath

he made replacement sheath from leather and it's been hanging on the wall for the last 20 - 30 years before I laid my eyes on it

oh I forgot to mention that I am wondering how on earth did this sword, which belongs to another era ended up in Indonesia - so far away from Austria

fernando · 14th September 2012, 03:10 PM

Hi Donny. Welcome to the forum

.
Nice sword.
Did you explore the term VIRIBUS UNITIS?

http://croatian-treasure.com/viribus.html

Would the inscription in your sword be connected to this ship?

David · 14th September 2012, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Donny. Welcome to the forum

.
Nice sword.
Did you explore the term VIRIBUS UNITIS?

http://croatian-treasure.com/viribus.html

Would the inscription in your sword be connected to this ship?

Interesting...of course the article also states The "Viribus Unitis" was also the motto of Franz Joseph I, so it might also be related to his court in some way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Joseph_I_of_Austria

David · 14th September 2012, 05:56 PM

Actually, if you look on the flip side of this ferrule, it looks like the initials F.J. 1 are embossed there.

fernando · 14th September 2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Actually, if you look on the flip side of this ferrule, it looks like the initials F.J. 1 are embossed there.

So says Donny in his first post

.
Maybe officer's swords of the period had both Emperor's initials and motto

.
... or officers of the ship's garrison ?

Something not 'so hard' to confirm !

fernando · 14th September 2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Interesting...of course the article also states The "Viribus Unitis" was also the motto of Franz Joseph I ...

Good catch David.
Obviously the ship was named after Franz Joseph's motto.

ariel · 14th September 2012, 11:35 PM

Viribus Unitis was an official motto of the Austro-Hungarian Empire: United Forces.
The same meaning as their two-headed egle.

14th September 2012, 08:15 AM	#1
satsujinken Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surabaya - Indonesia Posts: 199	Viribus Unitis (Austro-hungarian Sword) Hello all this is my second new thread here. Just want to share a unique story about this sword, which is now in my possession according to Chladne Zbrane v Habsburske Monarchii - (Edged Weapons of Habsburg Monarchy), page 107, this sword is a sword of Austrian Higher Officials model 1878 : details (from books above) : Single edged sword, straight blade with fuller on both sides wooden grip with mother-of-pearl handles brass hilt with monogram FJI (Emperor Francis Joseph 1) and with slogan VIRIBUS UNITIS on lower ferrule Lion's head shaped pommel. Bar Basket in form of snake with sprigs Counterguard with Austrian Coat of Arms on outer side Black leather scabbard with brass mouthpiece Blade is solingen made, and from carbon steel, with chromium plating now this is how I acquired the sword. It is in good condition. Unfortunately without original sheath, so previous owner made new one using leather anyhow, the sword is now in much better condition as I have restored it perhaps into 80% of its former glory (restoration is still on the way) hope you like it, any comments are welcome Donny Attached Images

14th September 2012, 03:10 PM	#3
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,641	VIRIBUS UNITIS Hi Donny. Welcome to the forum . Nice sword. Did you explore the term VIRIBUS UNITIS? http://croatian-treasure.com/viribus.html Would the inscription in your sword be connected to this ship?

14th September 2012, 09:33 AM	#2
satsujinken Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surabaya - Indonesia Posts: 199	according to the previous owner, this sword was found in heap of junks dated from pre 1945 era, and already found without sheath he made replacement sheath from leather and it's been hanging on the wall for the last 20 - 30 years before I laid my eyes on it oh I forgot to mention that I am wondering how on earth did this sword, which belongs to another era ended up in Indonesia - so far away from Austria

14th September 2012, 05:56 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,024	Actually, if you look on the flip side of this ferrule, it looks like the initials F.J. 1 are embossed there.

14th September 2012, 11:35 PM	#8
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Viribus Unitis was an official motto of the Austro-Hungarian Empire: United Forces. The same meaning as their two-headed egle.