Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Posted for Marteymiso: Blade Markings for Identification

Jim McDougall · 19th March 2011, 09:38 PM

This blade is from apparantly standard Spanish types of sword at the end of the 18th century, and these markings are well described in the Wallace Collection references(p.353).
Identical markings with crowned R and an S inside large C cypher with three large 'I's represent Charles III of Spain. Examples seem to have the 1787 date, but whether relating to a regulation or model year/contract issue etc is unclear. Swords with similar marks, date are known used by Spanish during Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 1797, Capt. Horatio Nelson R.N. boarded the San Josef.

Hope you're still out there Marteymiso, sorry nobody answered this.

19th March 2011, 09:38 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,100	This blade is from apparantly standard Spanish types of sword at the end of the 18th century, and these markings are well described in the Wallace Collection references(p.353). Identical markings with crowned R and an S inside large C cypher with three large 'I's represent Charles III of Spain. Examples seem to have the 1787 date, but whether relating to a regulation or model year/contract issue etc is unclear. Swords with similar marks, date are known used by Spanish during Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 1797, Capt. Horatio Nelson R.N. boarded the San Josef. Hope you're still out there Marteymiso, sorry nobody answered this.