Montmorency blade in late 18th c. British military swords

Pertinax · 14th February 2026, 08:57 PM

Hi Jim!

I've shown you this saber before.

Saber of an officer of the Royal Guard of Spain 1833

werecow · 14th February 2026, 09:27 PM

Anno 18833? It's a future sword!

Pertinax · 14th February 2026, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werecow

Anno 18833? It's a future sword!

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29633

Will M · 15th February 2026, 06:00 PM

Here's my Woolley.

Jim McDougall · 15th February 2026, 07:11 PM

Yuri, thank you so much!!! beautiful Spanish saber!

Will, it seems like Wooley always favored the Montmorency blade cross section on his M1788 lt. cav. sabers, while Gill in same model preferred the hollow ground more standard cavalry blades typical of Solingen in these times which were curved.
It seems curious that Yuri's example with Weyersberg stamp at forte is Montmorency, which seems atypical of Solingen.

Bryce · 15th February 2026, 10:01 PM

G'day Jim,
I can't help you with where the term "Montmorency" came from, but I can say that the style of blade you are referring to was very common on British swords, both straight and curved from at least as early as 1780 thru to the 1790's. Yes Wooley made blades like this, but so too did every other maker. There are plenty of examples around by Gill and Runkel etc.
Cheers,
Bryce

Radboud · 15th February 2026, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Yuri, thank you so much!!! beautiful Spanish saber!

Will, it seems like Wooley always favored the Montmorency blade cross section on his M1788 lt. cav. sabers, while Gill in same model preferred the hollow ground more standard cavalry blades typical of Solingen in these times which were curved.
It seems curious that Yuri's example with Weyersberg stamp at forte is Montmorency, which seems atypical of Solingen.

All the Runkel supplied 1788s I have seen use Montmorency blades, this is my example:

Jim McDougall · 15th February 2026, 11:18 PM

Bryce and Radboud, thanks guys.....once again Im chasin zebras when I hear hoofbeats

. The 'montmorency' mystery remains.

14th February 2026, 08:57 PM	#1
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 333	Hi Jim! I've shown you this saber before. Saber of an officer of the Royal Guard of Spain 1833 Attached Images

15th February 2026, 06:00 PM	#4
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 422	Here's my Woolley. Attached Images

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14th February 2026, 09:27 PM	#2
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 646	Anno 18833? It's a future sword!

15th February 2026, 07:11 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,805	Yuri, thank you so much!!! beautiful Spanish saber! Will, it seems like Wooley always favored the Montmorency blade cross section on his M1788 lt. cav. sabers, while Gill in same model preferred the hollow ground more standard cavalry blades typical of Solingen in these times which were curved. It seems curious that Yuri's example with Weyersberg stamp at forte is Montmorency, which seems atypical of Solingen.

15th February 2026, 10:01 PM	#6
Bryce Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Queensland, Australia Posts: 198	G'day Jim, I can't help you with where the term "Montmorency" came from, but I can say that the style of blade you are referring to was very common on British swords, both straight and curved from at least as early as 1780 thru to the 1790's. Yes Wooley made blades like this, but so too did every other maker. There are plenty of examples around by Gill and Runkel etc. Cheers, Bryce

15th February 2026, 11:18 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,805	Bryce and Radboud, thanks guys.....once again Im chasin zebras when I hear hoofbeats . The 'montmorency' mystery remains.