Need help with the markings on this Swashbuckling Cutlass / Sabre?

[dana_w]

I am not sure how best to classify this sword. The large knuckle guard is decorated with pierced hearts. The crossguard has a basket that protects the thumb which look like a swept hilt, and large decorated quillons that are almost serpentine. There are some interesting marks on the back of the blade.

The grip is missing and has been replaced with some pieces of wood wrapped in black tape.

The overall length of the sword is 33 ½ inches, and it is 8 ¼ wide at the guard. The blade is 29 ⅛ inches long, almost an 1 ½ wide and ¼ thick where it meets the guard. The false edge 9 ½ inches long. The sword weighs 2 lb, 4 ⅜ oz

These photos are copyright (c) 2015 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Dana,
Check out the terms Dussack and Sinclair sabre. Apologies for not expanding on that but I'm just on my way out.
Regards,
Norman.

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Dana,
Check out the terms Dussack and Sinclair sabre. Apologies for not expanding on that but I'm just on my way out.
Regards,
Norman.

Thanks Norman McCormick! I am opening a Google search now.

[dana_w]

Now that I know the right term (thanks again Norman McCormick), there is a lot of good information on Dussack / Sinclair Sabres here in the forums. Here are a few links:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bre#post182682

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bre#post115187

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bre#post115165

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...abre#post59256

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...abre#post57546

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...abre#post40564

I'll add a few additional photos too.

These photos are copyright (c) 2015 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved

[M ELEY]

Hello, Dana. Per our PM, just wanted to say again what a magnificent sword you have! Perusing some of the attached pics from the other dussack threads, you might note the style has more of an open unattached guard. Again, per our conversation, it is interesting to note that in Exquamillon's buccaneer/ pirate volume, both Jean David Nau (l'Olonnais) and Roc the Brazilian are pictured with similar clipped point Sinclair-types. Although possibly done for artistic license, I don't think it is too whimsical that such a sword would have been unpopular with pirates or naval men. As a sort of precursor to later cutlass types, it offered good coverage for the hand. The Gathenheim's (husband and wife privateers that formed a flotilla of Swedish pirates to protect that coast) certainly might have used such swords. Yes, I know I'm dragging the pirate theme in again, but you might note that many naval museums have thrown in Sinclairs as naval swords despite no absolute provenance of such...

www.cindyvallar.com/lollonais.html

http://www.golden-age-of-piracy.com/...brasiliano.php

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Hello, Dana. Per our PM, just wanted to say again what a magnificent sword you have! Perusing some of the attached pics from the other dussack threads, you might note the style has more of an open unattached guard. Again, per our conversation, it is interesting to note that in Exquamillon's buccaneer/ pirate volume, both Jean David Nau (l'Olonnais) and Roc the Brazilian are pictured with similar clipped point Sinclair-types. Although possibly done for artistic license, I don't think it is too whimsical that such a sword would have been unpopular with pirates or naval men. As a sort of precursor to later cutlass types, it offered good coverage for the hand. The Gathenheim's (husband and wife privateers that formed a flotilla of Swedish pirates to protect that coast) certainly might have used such swords. Yes, I know I'm dragging the pirate theme in again, but you might note that many naval museums have thrown in Sinclairs as naval swords despite no absolute provenance of such...

www.cindyvallar.com/lollonais.html

http://www.golden-age-of-piracy.com/...brasiliano.php

Thanks Captain Mark. Your information was very helpful. I was able to find a good online copy of Alexandre Exquemelin and see the illustrations you were talking about.

“The Buccaneers of America” is a remarkable eyewitness account by Alexander Exquemelin, first published in 1678.

http://www.loc.gov/…/ex…/interactive...rs-of-america/

https://books.google.com/books…

Maybe someday someone will see the photos above and decode the inscription on the blade, but I won't hold my breath.