George V 1897 Officer's Sword
Dec 12, 2010 6:07:47 GMT
Post by Socinus on Dec 12, 2010 6:07:47 GMT
Hey everybody, I was wondering if I could get some help on a piece I've had for a while. Modern military swords are way beyond my normal comfort zone.
From what I've been able to find, it seems to be an 1897 British Army Officer's sword. I'd like to know if it's authentic and an approximate value for it. Times are tough and the piece has no real sentimental value.
First, the piece itself is almost perfect. It's got a little ding and is missing some of the ray skin on the grip, the scabbard is tarnished with a little rust, but the sword itself is in extremely good condition. No nicks or dings on the blade at all. I always get a little suspicious when I see a piece that is purported to be very old but is in good condition.
Second, and this is my biggest twitch about this piece, is the stamp near the hilt "Manton & Co Calcutta" I have not seen a single example of one of these swords with one of these stamps on it and it raises concerns about this being a cheap copy. It does have the small brass PROVED mark surrounded by a six pointed star, a plus, but the "Calcutta" concerns me somewhat.
As I understand it, most of these swords were manufactured in London (By Wilkinson IIRC). Calcutta was the seat of the British East India Company, but again, from what research I've done it seems like these swords would be made in Britain, not India.
If anyone has any information on these pieces in general and this one in particular, I'd love to hear it. I'd also like to know an approximate value (difficult to do without pictures, I know, I'm working on that)
Thanks for your help.
From what I've been able to find, it seems to be an 1897 British Army Officer's sword. I'd like to know if it's authentic and an approximate value for it. Times are tough and the piece has no real sentimental value.
First, the piece itself is almost perfect. It's got a little ding and is missing some of the ray skin on the grip, the scabbard is tarnished with a little rust, but the sword itself is in extremely good condition. No nicks or dings on the blade at all. I always get a little suspicious when I see a piece that is purported to be very old but is in good condition.
Second, and this is my biggest twitch about this piece, is the stamp near the hilt "Manton & Co Calcutta" I have not seen a single example of one of these swords with one of these stamps on it and it raises concerns about this being a cheap copy. It does have the small brass PROVED mark surrounded by a six pointed star, a plus, but the "Calcutta" concerns me somewhat.
As I understand it, most of these swords were manufactured in London (By Wilkinson IIRC). Calcutta was the seat of the British East India Company, but again, from what research I've done it seems like these swords would be made in Britain, not India.
If anyone has any information on these pieces in general and this one in particular, I'd love to hear it. I'd also like to know an approximate value (difficult to do without pictures, I know, I'm working on that)
Thanks for your help.
