Napoleonic cuirassier sword - ORIGINAL?

Valjhun · 28th December 2012, 06:05 PM

I got this the previous week. One cannot be never safe wiht all the repros arounf. I checked the markings and seems to be ok so far, but I have some doubts, regarding its condition... Practically mint for a 200 years old sword. What do you think? Original? Or the one of the best repro we had ever seen?

Henk · 28th December 2012, 08:01 PM

Although not my field, I would say it is original looking at the markings. Also the hilt is not attached with a screw.
Apparently it was owned by collectors who cared for their puppies.

Matus · 28th December 2012, 08:50 PM

Hi,

I suggest to check the following resources:

http://www.oldswords.com/articles/Fr...%20AN%20XI.pdf

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/sho...rassier-swords

"Always be suspicious of October 1813 dates. Used by the Discrimating General and others before going back to those made by Manton in India in the early 1980's"

I hope it helps.

Matus

spiral · 28th December 2012, 10:41 PM

A dealer I know talked me through these about 13 years ago, he always had one for sale... A shasqa too... Think they were his best sellers.

Most of the Indian fakes of these are dated October 1813 & have 15 or 16 wire wraps to the grip... Not the usual 11 for 1813.

Also the ricasso on a Kligenthal sword should have 3 stamps not 2.

And last but no means least... Sans serif font for the numbers was not used on these or indeed in use in 1813.

its a £150 reproduction, made in India & marketed by many firms for many years..

And of course sadley many sold on by many well known sword dealers as genuine for enormous mark ups.

Sorry its not good news. But they have made good fakes of these for a long time.

Spiral

Valjhun · 29th December 2012, 01:41 AM

No, not good news at all... Thank you anyway Spiral... and Matus, of course (I didn't see your posts.. amazing)

Matus · 28th December 2012, 09:10 PM

Hi again,

I'm afraid it's a fake. See here:

http://www.militaryheritage.com/swords1.htm

I'm not sure I'm skilled enough to give an advise, but I'll try anyhow:

1) buy as many good books about a sword as you can before making a sword purchase

2) search the Internet and especially all the forums, then search again, then search again, then ask and only then make a purchase

3) always try to handle the sword by hand before making a purchase

4) only buy from guys who have a return policy

Matus

28th December 2012, 06:05 PM	#1
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Napoleonic cuirassier sword - ORIGINAL? I got this the previous week. One cannot be never safe wiht all the repros arounf. I checked the markings and seems to be ok so far, but I have some doubts, regarding its condition... Practically mint for a 200 years old sword. What do you think? Original? Or the one of the best repro we had ever seen? Attached Images

29th December 2012, 01:41 AM	#5
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	No, not good news at all... Thank you anyway Spiral... and Matus, of course (I didn't see your posts.. amazing) Last edited by Valjhun; 29th December 2012 at 04:16 PM.

28th December 2012, 08:01 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Although not my field, I would say it is original looking at the markings. Also the hilt is not attached with a screw. Apparently it was owned by collectors who cared for their puppies.

28th December 2012, 08:50 PM	#3
Matus Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 35	Hi, I suggest to check the following resources: http://www.oldswords.com/articles/Fr...%20AN%20XI.pdf http://www.swordforum.com/forums/sho...rassier-swords "Always be suspicious of October 1813 dates. Used by the Discrimating General and others before going back to those made by Manton in India in the early 1980's" I hope it helps. Matus

28th December 2012, 10:41 PM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	A dealer I know talked me through these about 13 years ago, he always had one for sale... A shasqa too... Think they were his best sellers. Most of the Indian fakes of these are dated October 1813 & have 15 or 16 wire wraps to the grip... Not the usual 11 for 1813. Also the ricasso on a Kligenthal sword should have 3 stamps not 2. And last but no means least... Sans serif font for the numbers was not used on these or indeed in use in 1813. its a £150 reproduction, made in India & marketed by many firms for many years.. And of course sadley many sold on by many well known sword dealers as genuine for enormous mark ups. Sorry its not good news. But they have made good fakes of these for a long time. Spiral

28th December 2012, 09:10 PM	#6
Matus Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 35	Hi again, I'm afraid it's a fake. See here: http://www.militaryheritage.com/swords1.htm I'm not sure I'm skilled enough to give an advise, but I'll try anyhow: 1) buy as many good books about a sword as you can before making a sword purchase 2) search the Internet and especially all the forums, then search again, then search again, then ask and only then make a purchase 3) always try to handle the sword by hand before making a purchase 4) only buy from guys who have a return policy Matus