Portuguese cavalry troopers sabre.

[Tim Simmons]

Just found out that Ballesteros is actually the Royal Arms Factory, which by the late 19th century was using industrial equipment.

[Tim Simmons]

Well it is pre 1868 as that is when modenisation and new machines tools were installed at the Royal Arms Factory.

[Radboud]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Well it is pre 1868 as that is when modenisation and new machines tools were installed at the Royal Arms Factory.

Or it's just polished / finished to a lower standard. Or it's been repolished later on.

[toaster5sqn]

Doesn't look hand forged to me, but it does look like apprentice McNumpty's first day on the grinding wheel.

[Tim Simmons]

I can add these as they have been sold. Two more examples of apprentice McNumpty and repolisher handy work. There must be more than one McNumpty around .

https://www.antique-swords.co.uk/ant...edo-p148004024

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...9i65IPiBQjxjoI

[Radboud]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

There must be more than one McNumpty around .

This I can confirm as a verified fact.

But seriously Tim, all these examples show is that they weren't overly concerned with even grinds and the swords were made to a budget (big surprise there for trooper swords).

This isn't evidence of hand forgeing, what I'm seeing in the photos is uneven grinds which are all done by hand as both of us noted earlier.

And to be honest, I've seen (own) older blades with better/cleaner grinds than these.

But knock yourself out, believe what you want to believe.