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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
I gotta say Harry, I love being along on this great ride of yours!!!
This one is indeed a Syrian sa'if, and the blade is from a British M1796 light cavalry sabre.
These were around in huge volume throughout the 19th century, long after being superceded by the M1821 patterns of sabres for troopers. These in surplus seem to have entered every imaginable entrepot as surplus or trade items. While the British were of course quite present in Arabia (notably Aden) that these blades entered trade markets seems well established.
There should be a makers stamp (or remains of one) on blade back near forte.
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Thanks Jim. That is a relief. I did not think it was a fake, but am very relieved to have a more experienced collector confirm that. I can't find any marks on the blade, but it is possible there is one under the guard. One of those tiny mirrors dentists use would sure come in handy.
It really has been an adventure. I think it has been less than two years since I bought my first vintage or antique piece. I have 40 years of missed collecting to catchup on so I have been buying at an accelerated rate. It has been a little humiliating but mostly fun. I am totally hooked. Who knew collecting would be so addictive!
Harry