Hi Guys,
Interesting discussion!
IIRC, the 19th C cross-guard option was only used for informal, or
de-ville use. It seems like switching from one guard to the other was relatively easy.
For the life of me, I can't see how they did it, unless it was some sort of screwed-pommel affair, like that in german WWII daggers. And yet, that doesn't seem to fit an actual combat sword.
The blade is not truly appealing, doesn't fel battle-ready. It's more like a modern sissified version (read ceremonial).
The basket-guard does feel like the real McCoy. Yet, the wood grip is ...unbecoming. It all says "modern" (<150yrs) military-ceremonial to me.
If switching guards is easy, that would explain the plain wood grip.
BTW: It's because of the grip that I bought/rescued the sword. Saw the original owner's teenage son banging away with it in a mock battle (D&Ds), and noticed that a small portion of the grip had already broken away.
Kids..!
To be frank, while I like the hilt very much, not so the rest of the sword. My real quarry now is a Black-Watch Basket-Hilt that was captured in 97' during a British invasion attempt to San Juan. Let's see when (and if) my hunting bears fruit..!
BTW Jim, the Baron's book is not yet published.
Salud, Oro y Fortuna!
Manuel