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Post by hotspur on Jun 12, 2009 3:07:52 GMT
Coincidently with some recent sales and my window shopping, this one became affordable and of interest. Granted, those with a Tiffany stamp and German maker's mark (PDL) can reach the low four figure prices with ease. Many in worse shape sell for a good bit more than this one and it is often the Tiffany mark alone that draws the prize. Also coincidently, Shiloh Relics had just recently listed a very nice Tiffany marked sword for a good bit more (the blade is kind of rough on that one though). I may end up eating my hat and foot with this one but it is apparently identical to the Tiffany PDL wristbreakers but completely unmarked. I will be able to confirm for sure regarding a couple of features but here is a type of sabre I have watched come and go, often the ones I had let go for other interests.Not too many years ago, this was a type I had to have on my lists and that one would pretty much cap my collecting. I know that will likely continue but with this, my short list is filled.  What many will notice in time is that this hilt is different from the ubiquitous American Civil War cavalry swords we have always come to relate to. Cheers Hotspur; I can still only reach out to the screen but a magnet will be proof of my notice about this one |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2009 14:30:21 GMT
Glen, Glen, Glen... You are an addict.  Congratulations on your new sword! Are you saying you believe the hilt to be iron or steel? I am looking forward to your pics and seeing the PDL and Tiffany markings. Step one: acknowledge you have a problem.  |
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Post by hotspur on Jun 12, 2009 16:48:18 GMT
Honest Jon, I was looking at a sale list and saw some trinkets that were paltry amounts and almost ordered. As page after page of the sale came up, I had a feeling the sword had already sold, ot wouldn't be included. Fancy that. There is was at close to 30% less than the original offer. A good amount of the inventory on the sale is/was 30% or less. More or less dealer wholesale. As to the marks, the dealer related that it seems no marks show. It may have worn away but it would be unusual for even the most ardent blade scraper to remove the Tiffany and PDL marks. Here are bigger. Yup, the basket looks built up and joined rather than cast like the brass. Interestingly, there was also a very nice brass version from PDL that recently moved on at cheap.     Cheers Hotspur; my real problem is that there are a half dozen affordable spadroons and eagles I have almost ordereda better adoption (I think) than Spaceship Ruthy at the Salter page (one I covet real bad for some reason) |
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Post by hotspur on Jun 17, 2009 21:06:23 GMT
Arriving home from an appointment today was seeing a long squarish looking package. My first impression was wondering if they had included the scabbard. No worry, another box of peanuts that somehow always acts with antigravity properties. I have almost mastered removing swords from peanuts without spreading them away from the box. Assurance that swords really don't take up much room and an excuse to find more wall space.
I will have to eat a hat and at least an old pair of boots regarding my thoughts it might be iron. It is indeed a brass hilt with a much better appearance overall than the pictures posted show. My hat off for the photographer for showing all faults and adding at least ten pounds (compared to reality). I honestly couldn't have hoped for more at the sale price. The grip is quite sound and better looking in person. The blade's bumper leather washer is entirely
intact and as generally crisp as the pictures show.
I am still a little perplexed about its manufacture. The grip is a very well done Solingen type effort. These grips were smooth wood cores with a winding cord before adding leather. Extra tightly wrapped, the double wire wraps eighteen times between the cord risers. However, the hilt itself seems like a rather hurried and coarse affair. Entirely suitable for a trooper but it lacks some of the finish often shown by premium swords of the period. The only mark I am able to find thus far is a 94 stamped into the pommel. It does show having been tightened over time but the encrustation atop looks quite old. I will attempt some more pictures after a bit to show these things.
The blade is 35 1/2 inches and there is no sharpened (as ground) false edge. This is quite near to 10mm, or 3/8" thick at the guard and remains close to 8mm through the mezzo with the blade tapering from there to the fuller fading and beyond that to 4mm and less. Most of the flexibility is in that forward portion of the blade with the forte and mezzo quite stout. I have to give the sharpened edge an 8+ on a scale of 10 for condition. There are a few flea bites that snag from nicks but I have already removed what might grab a cloth in cleaning. The dealer listed it as close to minty and that is quite true.
Shocking, is the diminutive size when compared to my 1854 dragon. This type is not as small as period light varieties but still smaller than some of the big European bruisers we read of. A side by side comparison will be impending (it has been a pretty brutal day/week for me so far). While the grip is roughly the same size, the basket and true scale is a flyweight compared to the dragon. Smaller in all regard but the sabres on the continent were fairly comparable to the French 1822 in all regards. An excellent size for melee on horseback but sitll seems quite capable on foot. It was apparently not unusual to see some of these shortened some but this one appears to be the standard 35 1/2", or 90cm for the metric minded. I had just hung it up before typing but will post more measurements with more pictures.
Tuly another period piece I have always wanted, even before my eagle fascination. Also amongst the latest made sword I will be pursuing. As this sword is unmarked as to origin, it is most likely of the 1860s period and bound for that war one way or another. I can place no provenance to either side of that conflict but can now associate it with ancestors that warred against each other. Some of my Missouri heritage campaigned with the Sterling Price efforts for confederacy, while as many (dozens, all told) went to the union military and one died once arriving after marching to Atlanta. In a direct line, gggradfather went to the northwest and teached during the conflict. Others of his brothers and relations were for the south. First cousins literally on either side of some battles. One group/family swore the union oath of loyalty and then went right out to join the gray. A pretty miserable time in that state's history.
Cheers
Hotspur; somehow a tranquil peacefullness has entered my life of retrospect
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Post by hotspur on Jun 17, 2009 22:54:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 14:05:35 GMT
Glen, The comparison photos are great and make the M1840 quite tempting! Fagan's pics did make the hilt look like iron rather than brass, so don't eat too many garments. Aside from some Pecard on the grip, do you have any other plans for the sword? Not silver plating, I hope!  What is next on the list? |
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Post by hotspur on Jun 18, 2009 16:03:42 GMT
I did touch up the edge a little and then burnished with copper wool (kitchen supplies rule). That is really is for the blade and light cleaning to the hilt will wait until the grip has had some conditioning. Nope, no more silver on things right now but light work on that spadroon has continued. The effect of plating that one leaves it still looking quite well used as opposed to shiny new. The scabbard on that one needs the most attention but is simply stored in a rifle case right now.
What's next, hmmmmm. The bills will be coming in any time now.
Earlier stuff for the most part I think. I really need to move some modern made stuff out to take more in (I always say that and don't for some reason). Spadroon and eagles still catch my attention. Dmitry has been adding to his site again but those birds will eventually sell at higher prices. Of course, the day I commited to the sabre, a nice late eagle pommel with scabbard went at about $450 (a very resonable price for that one). There is a lot surfacing in the past few weeks and there are some real bargains going on at auction and sales.
I still kind of like spaceship Ruthy deco hanger but it is more curious interest than really needing it. I'm good for now really.
twitch, twitch, itch, itch OMG look at that deal!
Bad dog, no biscuit.
Hotspur; this sabre has actually had more effect and electric impulse to my senses than others in a good long time
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2009 1:27:00 GMT
Hello all,
Beautiful sabre! MRL is supposed to be offering that model now along with their 1860 Lt. Cav Sabre. I think the 1840 Hvy Cav Sabre is better looking than the 1860 Lt. Cav Sabre. I have held both and I love the feel of both of them. They each have their own merits.
FB
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Congratulations on your new sword! Are you saying you believe the hilt to be iron or steel? I am looking forward to your pics and seeing the PDL and Tiffany markings. 
