Sword information

Suz · 9th January 2006, 07:51 PM

I have been searching for awhile to find any information on this sword. I come upon your site and have been reading it for a little while now. I have some pictures and very little information. It's 30 inches long and has the crown over VR on it. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

Andrew · 9th January 2006, 07:58 PM

I don't know much about these, but the mark is Victorian British, royal.

Perhaps Jim or one of our British members can offer additional information on the mark and the pattern blade.

Tim Simmons · 9th January 2006, 08:11 PM

Andrews right, British Victorian machete, which could have been used in any tropical environment. There are many styles of British machete that were used in west Africa and else where no doubt. It is also quite possible that an item like this may have seen life as a boarding weapon. Tim

Jim McDougall · 10th January 2006, 03:26 AM

I agree with Tim, this item is likely a trade blade mounted as a machete in one of the tropical colonial regions. While the blade carries an appantly British arsenal stamp, this I believe is a Solingen made trade blade of mid 19th century, most likely by Kirschbaum (according to reference in "Boarders Away" by W.Gilkerson, 1991, p.88). The author of this book illustrates some very similar heavy chopping blades of this type and indicates the popularity of early cutlass blades caused these blades to be continued well into the 19th century. The British crown with Victorian letters below appears to emulate that practice used on the Georgian examples, while typically the Victorian stamping did not use that particular arrangement if I am not mistaken (after reviewing material in appendix, Robson, "Swords of the British Army"
I have always very much favored these heavy type blades, and they remind me a great deal of the colonial Spanish 'espada anchas', which typically had the upturned point as well.
Best regards,
Jim

Suz · 10th January 2006, 05:33 AM

Thank you for all the interesting information. I had no idea what it was or where it may have come from. It has always been in my family and no one seemed to know anything about it's origin. No one thought to ask our Grandparents or earlier generations how it came into our family. Thanks again

9th January 2006, 07:51 PM	#1
Suz Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2	Sword information I have been searching for awhile to find any information on this sword. I come upon your site and have been reading it for a little while now. I have some pictures and very little information. It's 30 inches long and has the crown over VR on it. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks Attached Images

10th January 2006, 05:33 AM	#5
Suz Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2	sword information Thank you for all the interesting information. I had no idea what it was or where it may have come from. It has always been in my family and no one seemed to know anything about it's origin. No one thought to ask our Grandparents or earlier generations how it came into our family. Thanks again

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9th January 2006, 07:58 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I don't know much about these, but the mark is Victorian British, royal. Perhaps Jim or one of our British members can offer additional information on the mark and the pattern blade.

9th January 2006, 08:11 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,808	Andrews right, British Victorian machete, which could have been used in any tropical environment. There are many styles of British machete that were used in west Africa and else where no doubt. It is also quite possible that an item like this may have seen life as a boarding weapon. Tim

10th January 2006, 03:26 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	I agree with Tim, this item is likely a trade blade mounted as a machete in one of the tropical colonial regions. While the blade carries an appantly British arsenal stamp, this I believe is a Solingen made trade blade of mid 19th century, most likely by Kirschbaum (according to reference in "Boarders Away" by W.Gilkerson, 1991, p.88). The author of this book illustrates some very similar heavy chopping blades of this type and indicates the popularity of early cutlass blades caused these blades to be continued well into the 19th century. The British crown with Victorian letters below appears to emulate that practice used on the Georgian examples, while typically the Victorian stamping did not use that particular arrangement if I am not mistaken (after reviewing material in appendix, Robson, "Swords of the British Army" I have always very much favored these heavy type blades, and they remind me a great deal of the colonial Spanish 'espada anchas', which typically had the upturned point as well. Best regards, Jim