Seeking ID/Advice on 1821 Artillery Sword
Sept 8, 2023 5:50:40 GMT
Post by dccameron on Sept 8, 2023 5:50:40 GMT
Hello,
I am a total newcomer to antique swords (though not to fencing) and new to the forum. In a bargain trade, I just picked up two British swords that I am now researching. I will post each in its own thread. I am grateful for any advice you all can give regarding identification, dates, and care/restoration.
I have no experience with these swords, but have previously handled a modern (cheap) reproduction of the 1845 infantry saber and it felt like brick—there is no way I could actually fence with it—but these two antique swords feel great—the difference from the repro is like night and day. Just wonderful to handle them! I can see how antique swords can be enticing if not addictive.
The first sword
Identification — After consulting Brian Robson’s book and searching this forum, I think this sword is an 1821 Artillery Officers sword (identical in form to the 1821 Light Cavalry sabre). The maker is "Lockharts & Watson - Glasgow," which I assume was a military outfitter who bought the sword from a swordmaker. The blade seems to be the 1845 Wilkinson-type with the single fuller. Blade length is approx 32.5 inches; width at shoulder is 1 inch. The markings on the blade show a cannon and a flaming bomb, and on the other side wings with lightning bolts…all of which I assume means Artillery. I see no Volunteer unit markings anywhere. There is no royal crown, no royal cipher, no unit or ownership marking anywhere, aside from the artillery etching I described. The backstrap is only half-checkered (see photo). It came with a steel scabbard. Am I near the mark here? Anything I missed?
Date of manufacture — If I read the sources correctly, the Royal Artillery still uses this sword, and never went to the thrusting blade… so, how to date this? Could it be anywhere from 1850 to the present day? I suppose I can research the retailer (Lockharts & Watson) and see when they were in business…but a quick internet search yielded very little there.
Care/restoration — Although its seems this is a common sword and not terribly expensive, I really like the way it handles and love the hilt. The hilt looks like it has rust but the blade does not, although in several places the surface (plating?)seems to have peeled off, though I don’t know enough to say just what this is. I would like to make sure it doesn’t get any worse. I have not done any cleaning yet whatsoever.
I would like to arrest any deterioration, clean it up, and bring back some of the sword's original appearance if possible. I have consulted several online articles, but I’m not sure which are considered authoritative or would be most applicable to this sword. Should I start with some gun oil and a rag? Perhaps a brass brush to remove rust from the hilt? The hilt seems tight, except for the piece nearest the ricasso (is it called a ferrule?), which is slightly loose. The leather washer at the base of the blade is missing—is there a good source for a replacement? I appreciate any recommendations for care and restoration.
Well, that’s my first stab at it. I welcome your input. I will try to return the favor by contributing to the forum as best I can. I initially tried to post this question on SFI, but their Register page doesn’t work—oh well, I hope SBG turns out to be the best forum. Thank you.
I am a total newcomer to antique swords (though not to fencing) and new to the forum. In a bargain trade, I just picked up two British swords that I am now researching. I will post each in its own thread. I am grateful for any advice you all can give regarding identification, dates, and care/restoration.
I have no experience with these swords, but have previously handled a modern (cheap) reproduction of the 1845 infantry saber and it felt like brick—there is no way I could actually fence with it—but these two antique swords feel great—the difference from the repro is like night and day. Just wonderful to handle them! I can see how antique swords can be enticing if not addictive.
The first sword
Identification — After consulting Brian Robson’s book and searching this forum, I think this sword is an 1821 Artillery Officers sword (identical in form to the 1821 Light Cavalry sabre). The maker is "Lockharts & Watson - Glasgow," which I assume was a military outfitter who bought the sword from a swordmaker. The blade seems to be the 1845 Wilkinson-type with the single fuller. Blade length is approx 32.5 inches; width at shoulder is 1 inch. The markings on the blade show a cannon and a flaming bomb, and on the other side wings with lightning bolts…all of which I assume means Artillery. I see no Volunteer unit markings anywhere. There is no royal crown, no royal cipher, no unit or ownership marking anywhere, aside from the artillery etching I described. The backstrap is only half-checkered (see photo). It came with a steel scabbard. Am I near the mark here? Anything I missed?
Date of manufacture — If I read the sources correctly, the Royal Artillery still uses this sword, and never went to the thrusting blade… so, how to date this? Could it be anywhere from 1850 to the present day? I suppose I can research the retailer (Lockharts & Watson) and see when they were in business…but a quick internet search yielded very little there.
Care/restoration — Although its seems this is a common sword and not terribly expensive, I really like the way it handles and love the hilt. The hilt looks like it has rust but the blade does not, although in several places the surface (plating?)seems to have peeled off, though I don’t know enough to say just what this is. I would like to make sure it doesn’t get any worse. I have not done any cleaning yet whatsoever.
I would like to arrest any deterioration, clean it up, and bring back some of the sword's original appearance if possible. I have consulted several online articles, but I’m not sure which are considered authoritative or would be most applicable to this sword. Should I start with some gun oil and a rag? Perhaps a brass brush to remove rust from the hilt? The hilt seems tight, except for the piece nearest the ricasso (is it called a ferrule?), which is slightly loose. The leather washer at the base of the blade is missing—is there a good source for a replacement? I appreciate any recommendations for care and restoration.
Well, that’s my first stab at it. I welcome your input. I will try to return the favor by contributing to the forum as best I can. I initially tried to post this question on SFI, but their Register page doesn’t work—oh well, I hope SBG turns out to be the best forum. Thank you.