Alex Coppel Solingen Sabre

Atlantia · 11th April 2010, 12:45 PM

Just done a deal for this.
Anyone clue me in with some background on these please?
The blade is in lovely condition, the scabbard is blued, with some surface rust, the hilt is completely covered in surface light rust, but should clean up very well.
Marked 96, and 02. I would assume from the condition thats 1896 and 1902.... but isn't it the 1796 prussian/Brit pattern?
I've been up since dawn and can't wrap my head around it. Come on guys, help a brother out!

Ian Knight · 11th April 2010, 04:10 PM

It's not a British P1796 light cavalry sword.
I don't know a lot about German swords but I would say that your sword is a c1900 Prussian Artilleryman's sword.

Ian

Atlantia · 11th April 2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Knight

It's not a British P1796 light cavalry sword.
I don't know a lot about German swords but I would say that your sword is a c1900 Prussian Artilleryman's sword.

Ian

Hi Ian,

The Prussian pattern was essentially a copy of the Brit I believe. I know its not the Brit, but its rather close isn't it?

I'm quite pleased! Been a long time since I've treated myself to a sword, and a very long time since I've bought/owned a military Sabre.
Sooo, that bodes the question how blooming long did this pattern stay in service? Could is be a 1796 pattern, 1902 issue?
That would be bizzare!

Thanks for helping mate.
Gene

Ian Knight · 11th April 2010, 04:50 PM

Hello Gene,
You are very welcome.
The Prussian Model 1811 'Blucher' sabre was very similar to a British P1796 light cavalry sabre. The obvious differences are that the Prussian M1811 has a knucklebow/crossguard of heavier contruction and the scabbard has a more pronounced shoe/drag than the P1796.
The basic design of the M1811 with its stirrup shaped knucklebow was used for many years by Germany right up to WW2.
The British P1796 was, on the other hand, superceded by the P1821 light cavalry sabre.
I have attached a photo of one of my British P1796 sabres for a comparison with your very nice Prussian Artilleryman's sword.
The other two photos are of a Prussian M1811 note the hilt and scabbard drag.
Ian

Atlantia · 11th April 2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Knight

Hello Gene,
You are very welcome.
The Prussian Model 1811 'Blucher' sabre was very similar to a British P1796 light cavalry sabre. The obvious differences are that the Prussian M1811 has a knucklebow/crossguard of heavier contruction and the scabbard has a more pronounced shoe/drag than the P1796.
The basic design of the M1811 with its stirrup shaped knucklebow was used for many years by Germany right up to WW2.
The British P1796 was, on the other hand, superceded by the P1821 light cavalry sabre.
I have attached a photo of one of my British P1796 sabres for a comparison with your very nice Prussian Artilleryman's sword.
Ian

Hi Ian,
Do they mark like we do? As in year of pattern and issue?
Here are some more pics, now I'm a bit more awake, lol

Atlantia · 11th April 2010, 05:14 PM

Thanks for the pics, mine's definately a slimmer type isn't it?

Ian Knight · 11th April 2010, 05:20 PM

Hello Gene,
Your sword is marked with a Crown above the letter 'W' for Wilhelm II.

Britain did have very similar markings for their arms which started, I believe, in 1870. Further changes were made to the way Britain's arms were marked in 1881 and then again in 1912.
Ian

11th April 2010, 12:45 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Alex Coppel Solingen Sabre Just done a deal for this. Anyone clue me in with some background on these please? The blade is in lovely condition, the scabbard is blued, with some surface rust, the hilt is completely covered in surface light rust, but should clean up very well. Marked 96, and 02. I would assume from the condition thats 1896 and 1902.... but isn't it the 1796 prussian/Brit pattern? I've been up since dawn and can't wrap my head around it. Come on guys, help a brother out! Last edited by Atlantia; 11th April 2010 at 04:05 PM.

11th April 2010, 04:50 PM	#4
Ian Knight Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Sussex, England. Posts: 103	Hello Gene, You are very welcome. The Prussian Model 1811 'Blucher' sabre was very similar to a British P1796 light cavalry sabre. The obvious differences are that the Prussian M1811 has a knucklebow/crossguard of heavier contruction and the scabbard has a more pronounced shoe/drag than the P1796. The basic design of the M1811 with its stirrup shaped knucklebow was used for many years by Germany right up to WW2. The British P1796 was, on the other hand, superceded by the P1821 light cavalry sabre. I have attached a photo of one of my British P1796 sabres for a comparison with your very nice Prussian Artilleryman's sword. The other two photos are of a Prussian M1811 note the hilt and scabbard drag. Ian Attached Images Last edited by Ian Knight; 11th April 2010 at 05:06 PM.

11th April 2010, 04:10 PM	#2
Ian Knight Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Sussex, England. Posts: 103	It's not a British P1796 light cavalry sword. I don't know a lot about German swords but I would say that your sword is a c1900 Prussian Artilleryman's sword. Ian

11th April 2010, 05:14 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Thanks for the pics, mine's definately a slimmer type isn't it?

11th April 2010, 05:20 PM	#7
Ian Knight Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Sussex, England. Posts: 103	Hello Gene, Your sword is marked with a Crown above the letter 'W' for Wilhelm II. Britain did have very similar markings for their arms which started, I believe, in 1870. Further changes were made to the way Britain's arms were marked in 1881 and then again in 1912. Ian