Need help identifying the mark

[Pertinax]

Swedish saber/broadsword of an infantry officer from the second half of the 19th century. A special feature of this sword is a whistle under the guard. There is a mark on the butt of the blade. My attempts to identify the mark have so far been unsuccessful. I would be glad and grateful for any help, thanks in advance.

Regards, Yuri.

[Victrix]

Nice sword! Unfortunately I don’t recognize the mark. It looks like it may have been scratched in by the owner? It may be a house mark with which Scandinavian and Germanic people marked their property. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_mark. But this is just speculation on my side.

[Pertinax]

Originally Posted by Victrix

Nice sword! Unfortunately I don’t recognize the mark. It looks like it may have been scratched in by the owner? It may be a house mark with which Scandinavian and Germanic people marked their property. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_mark. But this is just speculation on my side.

Thanks, Victrix

But I think that this is not a runes, but a poorly pierced stamp or monogram.

For example this:

[Jim McDougall]

Good catch Victrix! The structure of this marking is very much like those seen among the marks typically attributed to Passau makers, which unfortunately are mostly unidentified and of the latter 16th century. These devices are somewhat similar in convention in having 'arms' in various configuration (Kinman, 2015) much like the familiar 'anchor' markings from Spanish sword blade motif then copied in Solingen.

These often have subtle variations in similar fashion in the cross bars.

Without going into the complicated analysis of developing of arms markings, and noting the excellent parallels noted by Victrix in these 'house markings' which seem inextricably linked, I think we can presume this to be some sort of commemorative application.

It is crudely applied in comparison of course to the characteristically applied acid etched motif in accord with latter 19th century military dress swords, so very much out of context.

I must admit, the choice of one of these mysterious (because few are singularly identified) markings on a late period military sword is most unusual, and might have some association with a military fraternal organization or something in those areas. Perhaps in the Masonic type genre.? With these the use of very early symbolism is often favored.
Just thinkin' outside the box I guess.

The idea of it being a monogram as described is very plausible as well, if the top parts of the letters are in fact missing...it would take more forensic analysis to determine that.

Whatever the case, a beautiful sword! we dont see a lot of Scandinavian swords here!

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Pertinax

Thanks, Victrix

But I think that this is not a runes, but a poorly pierced stamp or monogram.

For example this:

It doesn’t have to be runic. It can be a specially designed monogram, like you suggested.

[Pertinax]

Thanks, Victrix and Jim McDougall

I have beautiful Scandinavian swords in my collection; if possible, I will show them.

Regards, Yuri

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Pertinax

Thanks, Victrix and Jim McDougall

I have beautiful Scandinavian swords in my collection; if possible, I will show them.

Regards, Yuri

I like the detail with the whistle. Don’t have any like that in my collection.