German Saber ID/Dating
May 25, 2023 21:36:21 GMT
Post by madirish on May 25, 2023 21:36:21 GMT
I picked up what I would say is a German M1849 artillery interim saber. The scabbard and dove head hilt/guard appear to be bright nickel plated. The scabbard is a single ring design with a ring solidly mounted to the scabbard (no movement). It is etched. Having trouble getting good pics of the etching, but one side shows a vegetal/vine motif with crossed cannons near the hilt and a drum further away. The other side features what looks like a wagon wheel and a halberd and higher up, two crossed swords.
Blade does not appear to be plated from what I can tell and it is strongly magnetic. it is blunt and has never been sharpened.
There are no unit markings or proof markings anywhere on the scabbard, blade, or hilt/gaurd. There is what looks to be a legit WK&C logo with king's head an knight's head, though it looks a little different than some others I've seen...really hard to get a shot of it, I really struggled to get what I have. Trying to get a better handle on the age of this thing and whether it was a self purchased dress sword for an NCO or if it was simply a presentation sword of some kind (either of ~WWI vintage or a later make).
The trademark seems to indicate a pre 1918 date, but the grip makes me wonder. It is a very hard, material made to look like shagreen or sharkskin....I've never seen either in RL, but this certainly seems to be a hard material. My understanding is that if it was made in the early 20th century it would have been a smooth bakelite or cellulose
Does anyone have any idea of the potential age of this thing given what I have described and pictured? Trying to determine if it is a true early 20th century antique that I should preserve in its current state or if it is a later 20th century item made by the modern day WK&C (or an imitation repro) that I could polish away to my heart's content and not feel bad about altering.
The person I got if from said that his understanding was that this piece was brought home by his Great Grandfather, who had looted it from a home in Germany in WWII.....could be complete balderdash.
Any suggestions? TIA
Also, any suggestions for polishing the blade or removing rust/discoloration without affecting the etching?
Blade does not appear to be plated from what I can tell and it is strongly magnetic. it is blunt and has never been sharpened.
There are no unit markings or proof markings anywhere on the scabbard, blade, or hilt/gaurd. There is what looks to be a legit WK&C logo with king's head an knight's head, though it looks a little different than some others I've seen...really hard to get a shot of it, I really struggled to get what I have. Trying to get a better handle on the age of this thing and whether it was a self purchased dress sword for an NCO or if it was simply a presentation sword of some kind (either of ~WWI vintage or a later make).
The trademark seems to indicate a pre 1918 date, but the grip makes me wonder. It is a very hard, material made to look like shagreen or sharkskin....I've never seen either in RL, but this certainly seems to be a hard material. My understanding is that if it was made in the early 20th century it would have been a smooth bakelite or cellulose
Does anyone have any idea of the potential age of this thing given what I have described and pictured? Trying to determine if it is a true early 20th century antique that I should preserve in its current state or if it is a later 20th century item made by the modern day WK&C (or an imitation repro) that I could polish away to my heart's content and not feel bad about altering.
The person I got if from said that his understanding was that this piece was brought home by his Great Grandfather, who had looted it from a home in Germany in WWII.....could be complete balderdash.
Any suggestions? TIA
Also, any suggestions for polishing the blade or removing rust/discoloration without affecting the etching?