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Post by padric101 on May 27, 2010 14:31:10 GMT
I would like some help identifying this blade I was told at the time of purchase that it was a 1821 pattern, but this one is different. It has a 32 1/2" blade, oal of 38". The first picture is of the thistle etching and the words volunteer artillery  The next is the obverse with a star of David, some sort of brass, or gold, dollop in the center.  The third is the reverse the company name and address, mostly unreadable. I think the maker is Firman of London  Any information would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance. |
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2010 15:38:56 GMT
It is a blade for a Pattern 1821 Royal Artillery Officer's Sword. Based on the etching, the sword originally belonged to an officer of a volunteer artillery unit. Does the maker info read Firmin & Sons 153 Strand? If you can decipher more of the maker info we can possibly narrow down the date of the blade's manufacture.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2010 16:01:20 GMT
Good looking sword.
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Post by padric101 on May 27, 2010 16:20:47 GMT
That is a beautiful piece in that picture. If it is one of yours you must be proud.
So far that is all the address I can decipher. The picture in my post is as good as looks in real time.
Firmin & Son
153 or 753 Strand
Con... something unintelligible
London
I collected it by chance. I was looking for a thin older blade for a custom project and won the bid on ebay. It cost as much to ship, from england, as it did to buy. Was this meant to be a functional sword? I can find no evidence of an edge. I would not want to harm any historical value by modifying it. The value must be low because of the blurred etching, hence the price I paid. Thank you for the prompt response and your time.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2010 16:51:10 GMT
What are the blade's dimensions? Specifically, how wide is it at the ricasso?
According to OldSwords.com, Firmin & Sons were at 153 Strand & 13 Conduit St. from 1850-1879.
Yes, and thank you, that is my sword. It was my first Victorian sword, and I now concentrate on swords of that era through WWI.
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Post by padric101 on May 27, 2010 17:03:13 GMT
The blade is 38" OAL, 32 1/2" from hilt to tip, the ricasso is 1", on micrometer, wide and .350" thick. I did try, three emails, to contact Firmin with no joy. Thank you for your help. Oldswords.com is a great resource thank you and a karma for that.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2010 17:56:06 GMT
The 1" ricasso indicates that it is s service weight blade, and not just for dress. Although the volunteer artillery officer probably only used it for parade and drill, it would have been just as capable as a sword for a regular army officer.
What are your plans for the blade?
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Post by padric101 on May 27, 2010 18:07:20 GMT
I am interested preserving any historical value it might have, but not restoring it myself. If you are interested in it PM me. Thank you again.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2010 18:19:23 GMT
I think that you should do what you want with it.  What were your original plans? |
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Post by padric101 on May 27, 2010 20:27:30 GMT
Hey Jonathan, My original plan was to create a walking stick sword. But once I realized it might have some historical value I went a different route. Presently I have no need for this blade. I would be willing to let it go to a good home for 60 usd. Which is what I have in it plus state side shipping.
I purchased an epee blade which I have on the back burner, for some other projects have jumped to a priority status. I have begun the process of kiln drying a nice stout piece of hickory, for the walking stick. I wanted sassafras but there is not a lot of big sassafras on my land.
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What were your original plans? 
