Portuguese cavalry troopers sabre.

[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.

[midelburgo]

Ballesteros was a private enterprise and had nothing to do with the Fabrica de Toledo, only the same location.

They made a couple of models for Portuguese army and for some Spanish local police.

[Tim Simmons]

Ballesteros were a private frim, however King Charles the 111 brought all manufacturing under the Royal Arms so Ballesteros were under contract. The Royal Sword Factory of Toledo in 1761.

[midelburgo]

Since 1820 it was allowed that other cutlers could make and comercialize swords outside of the oficial centers.

For example, Ibarzabal could sell complete swords from that year, made in Eibar. Some of his pieces are marked Fabrica de Eibar in the 1870s.

The swords from Ballesteros are from around 1890.