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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
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Hello people!
I need your wisdom to solve something about the origin of this blucher-type saber. It only has this mark that looks like a ship The scabbard has two rings and the ferrules that assemble them to the scabbard are made of bronze. Thank you!! Best regards! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by Forja Fontenla; 16th May 2023 at 07:34 PM. Reason: The images were not visible |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 71
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While I can't help with the ship mark I can say it's likely your sword is one of the later derivative models rather than an M1811 Blutcher. Most telling is the narrow point such as is seen on the M1848 Mounted Artillery Sabre. Also the lack of langets could be significant or they could have been removed in service.
Robert |
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#3 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,886
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I am so glad to see this example, which has a distinct mark that has remained unidentified, and this is after thorough checks with every resource known concerning markings. It was first shown by BBJW in 2008, with I think 3 responses no info forthcoming.
In that thread it appears on a 'cutlass' with markings W I D C No.38 which is to the West India Docks in London. Here vessels embarking for West Indies and returning had goods being guarded by security personnel, the force was typically 100 men. The number clearly a rack number. For those interested use West India Docks on the search bar and the three unsuccessful threads will appear. As far as I could find, the F H initials on either side of the apparent mast on the 'vessel' ? are most likely to Friedrich Horster of Solingen (1825-1875). What is odd is that he only used initials F H on his blades. The cutlass in question seems to be c.1820s and likely later, which would coincide with the M1811 Blucher type saber here. As noted, the Blucher pattern was used perpetually into the WWI period, however examples after mid 19th c. had notably lighter blades. It is unclear why Horster would use this 'maritime' theme added to his initials and interesting that the device or mark might signify him catering to naval maritime clientele. With that perhaps this might be a saber for such naval connection? an officers saber, or again similar naval security forces? Apparently Horster had agency offices in England. My next stop would be the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. |
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#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
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But how interesting! Thank you very much for the info Could this saber have belonged to the West India Dock Police? https://british-police-history.uk/f/west-india-dock |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Idaho, USA
Posts: 227
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My WIDC cutlass has the same maker's mark- F H and the boat. Yours with the same mark is the only other one I've seen.-- bbjw
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#6 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
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Where did you find it? I live in Argentina. My country, during the wars of independence (1810-1825) and later during the civil wars (Unitarios Vs Federales) it was customary to acquire surplus weapons until they began to regulate weapons around 1870. It is possible that this saber reached these lands in those times... Eduardo |
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#7 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 71
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The langets were often removed in the field but it is entirely possible that a batch could have been ordered without them. Robert |
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#8 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
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Was removal of langets frequent? Or did they come like that from the factory? Eduardo |
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