Montmorency blade in late 18th c. British military swords

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.

Will M · 15th February 2026, 11:33 PM

I have compared my Woolley sword with my 1796 LC trooper sword and other than the blade being longer and not as wide the curvature is very similar.

Triarii · 16th February 2026, 09:06 PM

Here's one on what I called a 1788 - 96 type sword. I think the grip was ebony.

Radboud · 17th February 2026, 05:00 AM

Nice sword, and interesting to see the Solingen mark get overstamped like that. I had heard of Egg doing this to Runkel imported 1788s. Have you looked into the I.B.B mark?

15th February 2026, 06:00 PM	#1
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 422	Here's my Woolley. Attached Images

16th February 2026, 09:06 PM	#7
Triarii Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Bristol Posts: 163	Here's one on what I called a 1788 - 96 type sword. I think the grip was ebony. Attached Images

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15th February 2026, 07:11 PM	#2
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	#3
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	#5
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.

15th February 2026, 11:33 PM	#6
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 422	I have compared my Woolley sword with my 1796 LC trooper sword and other than the blade being longer and not as wide the curvature is very similar.

17th February 2026, 05:00 AM	#8
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 302	Nice sword, and interesting to see the Solingen mark get overstamped like that. I had heard of Egg doing this to Runkel imported 1788s. Have you looked into the I.B.B mark?