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Post by bablaschke on Dec 20, 2023 1:33:24 GMT
Hey, I am trying to put a definitive identification on an antique spadroon. The hilt is brass, and the blade has the remains of some gilding. Among some small marks there are two distinct marks, one the phrase "VIVAT DIE FREIHEIT", which translates most cleanly from and older dialect, Luxembourgish (a Moselle-Franconian dialect of the West Middle German group) to "Long Live Freedom", which may be a reference to Luxembourg's independence as a state being reaffirmed in 1839 by the First Treaty of London. The other side of the blade has an castle with three towers, an iron work gate and what look like two gears on the towers, my thought is that this perhaps leans toward this blade belonging to a member of either an Engineers or Artillery Corps. I have added some pictures below, and appreciate help in identifying this piece. Thanks, Barrett
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madirish
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Post by madirish on Dec 20, 2023 14:06:42 GMT
Certainly not an very informed observation, but it would seem that this sort of style is a bit archaic by the time of the Belgian Revolution of 1830, no? Maybe the style makes more sense re: the Brabant Revolution in the 18th century?
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Post by bablaschke on Dec 21, 2023 2:02:35 GMT
I agree, the pas d'ane are still present on this hilt design, but too small to be useful to actually loop a finger into, versus the British pattern of 1796, that has, by that point, done away with them entirely. The blade is a narrow double edged design of ~32 inches in length with no fullers. The total weight is just over 1 lbs. 8 oz., putting it well within the norms for a smallsword design. Additionally, as I look at the carvings in the blade they do seem less "developed" versus later pieces with more refined patterns. I think you may be onto something with the late 18th century idea.
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Post by bas on Dec 21, 2023 4:29:43 GMT
It looks like a late 18th or early 19th century smallsword / spadroon with a boatshell guard with a Solingen made blade, with the pre-1820s ricasso cartouche. This sword probably came from the Dutch/Fresian/Northern German area. Unfortunately it is very difficult to pin these universal styles to a specific country of origin and while the inscription helps narrow it down a little.
A lovely looking sword, with some of these the distinction between a smallsword and spadroon can be a bit fine, so it would be nice to have the blade diamensions to give a better opinion but I'm leaning on it being a spadroon.
Incidently, "pas d'ane" or "Donkey hoof" is a term for a style of dual shell guard (as seen on many smallswords and the 1796 Pattern Infantry officers sword). And not as some books incorrectly ascribe the annulettes that are between the cross-guard and guard.
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Post by bablaschke on Dec 21, 2023 22:32:26 GMT
Annulettes, there we go, I appreciate the clarification, sorry for my mistake. The length of blade is ~32 inches with a hexagonal cross section transitioning into a diamond cross section as you move up the blade toward the point. The double edged blade is 1 inch wide at the base and tapers to 1/2 inch wide just before the point.
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