Beidana? Fauchard? Is this even a sword blade?
 

Hello everyone,

I just received a package with a few swords that were bundled together in an auction lot. I was more focused on one piece, so the others were just an extra, including this blade.
It was described as a fauchard blade, but that doesn't sound right to me. The blade shape does not match and the tang, rather than a slotted fixture with braces is unusual for a pole arm.
If anything it looks more like a beidana blade, but even then, not quite right.

I figured it would be a farming tool, or some sort of peasant weapon until I unpacked it. The blade feels really well made, has a lenticular cross section and good distal taper, it also has some crude decoration and, more importantly, what seems to be a maker's mark.

So now I'm questioning whether this may have been a weapon to start with, and if so, what it may be and how to best date it (apart from trying to find similar versions of the mark).

What do you think?

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I wonder if it could be an Aruval blade.

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EDIT: Although yeah, a hook beidana or roncola would make more sense given the other swords in the batch.

http://vikingsword.com/vb/attachment...1&d=1298329741

Repurposed sword blade.
I researched the Beidana somehow and handled various variations. One thing is in common: the blade is single edged and broadens towards the tip, like a machete. Forged by country blacksmiths, it lacks the finesse of a sword blade like the one here, while having its own charm and sometimes rough decorations.

Here's video showing the blade in closeup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJBGqkw5pJg