Luka
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Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on May 6, 2012 21:39:20 GMT
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Post by Dave Kelly on May 6, 2012 22:30:06 GMT
Yup, looks like a basic Austrian M1861 Infantry Officers saber to me too. Black painted scabbard would probably indicate this is a WWI item, but that really isn't much help in determining how old it might be. Few to no markings just means this is a bulk purchase item from a major vendor. Higher end personal stuff was marked by a major contract furbisher. Got one also. ( Mine has a portapottie :lol: )   |
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Luka
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Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on May 6, 2012 23:05:14 GMT
Thanks! Do you know what copper/brass hilt means? All pictures show them with steel hilts...
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Post by Dave Kelly on May 6, 2012 23:14:03 GMT
Oops! Sorry, forgot that part:
Two options: Either MIlitary Police or territorial militia (honved)
(Ref: With Drawn Sword, Austo-Hungarian Edged Weapons 1848-1918, Ortner and Artlieb )
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Luka
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Post by Luka on May 6, 2012 23:50:36 GMT
Interesting. I'll have to do some more research but this is a really good start. Thank you very much! Do you think it would be wrong to sharpen it and tighten the hilt to restore it to fighting condition? Btw, the grip is shark skin, is that any help for dating?
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Post by Dave Kelly on May 7, 2012 1:42:43 GMT
Personally, there is nothing wrong with a "proper" refurb done to an antique. Sharpening the sword now will probably devalue it from a collection standpoint, but hey, M1861s aren't exactly valued very high on the collection market. You have access to armourers. Straigtnening out the hilt is fine.
One nice thing about brass/copper finishes is that they can be restored very easily. Respond to brasso extremely well, and now that I've discovered Simichrome I can attest to how absolutely brilliant it is on brass.
Sorry sharkskin is common to officer and NCO hilts. (Officers grip wires are better quality.) I'm not familiar enough with Austrian arms to know of a dating key for the 61's.
Cheers,
Enjoy
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Luka
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Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on May 7, 2012 21:09:01 GMT
I think I will get it sharpened and the hilt tightened and try some light cutting. I won't be selling it so its collectionary value is not important to me...
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Luka
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Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on May 12, 2012 23:00:56 GMT
Just a little update... The saber weighs 620 grams, the hilt is just brass, nothing else beneath it, and the edge may never have been sharp it seems...
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