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Post by jcbarnett on Jul 10, 2012 1:48:48 GMT
I have over 40 swords in my collection - most are antiques ranging from 1730 up thru WWII. I have some really beautiful presentation swords as well as a couple extremely rare pieces - but the favorites in my collection are without a doubt the military battle swords - those swords that have clearly seen some action. I have 3 or 4 antique swords that are battle-worn veterans of true warriors, and when I hold them my thoughts go to those who wielded them - who were they - what kind of men were they - good men - skillfull - did they survive the battles they fought? One of my very favorite pieces is a British Infantry Sword - Model 1845 - that was manufactured in 1850 that, based on what I know of its origins, may have seen some acion in the Crimean War (Charge of the Light Brigade era). This sword has a large number of blade hits as well as a quite a few very deep parry cuts on the back of the blade right near the center of percussion - gives me the feeling this swordsman knew his sword well. Based on the number of parries, my hope was that he was not only quite skilled but also victorious. I have attached a photo of this sword for your viewing pleasure. Do others feel as strongly about "real" battle swords as I do? Would love to hear your thoughts. Attachments:
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Post by Arwyn on Jul 14, 2012 3:30:17 GMT
That is a fine example of some historical steel. I would love to get into picking up some real historical blades, as a history major, I love that kind of thing.
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Post by jcbarnett on Jul 22, 2012 17:21:05 GMT
This is a 1796 Light Cavalry Saber that probably saw service during the Napoleonic Wars. Came from Great Britain in the 1970's and ended up in my collection a short while ago. It has parry marks on the top near the center of percussion as well as nicks along the blade. What is interesting about this sword is evidence of repeated action - when looking at the blade under a magnifying glass you can see numerous spots where it appears the cuts were filed down and re-sharpened. It resulted in an uneven blade and top edge. The age of the parry marks and blade nicks are consistent with the overall wear of the sword indicating they possibly all occurred during the same general time period - between 1796 and the early 1800's. Attachments:
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Post by jcbarnett on Jul 22, 2012 17:26:39 GMT
Here is a Spanish Model 1887 that appears to have been in a skirmish. The sword came to my collection from a Cuban family down in Florida and may have seen service in the Spanish American War. It does not show many parry marks but does show some nicks to the blade edge that were filed down and re-sharpened. All the nicks have the same patina and wear as the overall sword. |
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Post by Dave Kelly on Jul 22, 2012 18:51:52 GMT
 This is probably the furthest out on a limb I've gone with collecting. ( Unless you include a less expensive Lady Vivamus that I'll never get anything like a decent return for.) French Cuirassier Officers Garde de Bataille sword. This is the 1803-1810 version.  No battle damage to speak of, just a lot of wear. Blue and gilt is about gone. Scabbard shows dings of a lot of saddle time. The Cuirassiers didn't stay at home much. If this sword could talk....  |
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Post by jcbarnett on Jul 22, 2012 19:17:27 GMT
That is an awesome looking sword! Is the scabbard engraved or sculpted? It looks great! I have several presentation grade swords and swords carried but never drawn in battle - but I do truly love swords that have seen some action - I intentional search for historic swords that show parry marks - because those are the ones that show proof of conflict. Lots of swords have been handled and struck against hard objects - but the cuts on the top of the blade are typically gained only through contact with other swords. I then examine the nicks to determine their age and can usually discern whether they are contemporary with the age of the sword or younger. For presentation grade swords - here is a rapier that I own from ca. 1740 - it's one that has not seen battle but is absolutely stunning to look at. |
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Post by Dave Kelly on Jul 22, 2012 20:20:40 GMT
Neither. As I said, it's just been beaten from throat to chape with a lot of dings from being pounded in the saddle. Many period scabbards were not wood cored; the fittins and leather sections were glued and sewn together. Put a lot of strain on the leather. Most that survived are in pieces.
This one has a solid wood core with everything fit over it. It's in amazingly good shape for 200+ years.
Nice court sword. Hunting and classical themes makes me think it is German made.
Battle swords with out provenece do have some risk involved. Lost my shirt on a WWI German 1889 when the sharpening proved to be post war.
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Post by jcbarnett on Jul 22, 2012 20:46:27 GMT
Yes - I agree - the provenence aspect is usually the big variable in all my battle swords except for one my father captured from a Japanese officer on Okinawa in WWII. I always try to remember to say - probably saw action - or - may have seen action - because all I have to go on is apparent parry marks and comparable patina. I also try to determine each swords lineage in my collection whenver possible - but without an actual paper trail - it's dealer reliance or trusting the sellers family history.
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