Some sort of naval saber?

blue lander · 15th May 2014, 08:06 PM

I just won the auction for this. The seller didn't have much to say about it other than that it was old, the grip was horn, and that it was possibly a marine saber. It's only 65cm long. Does anybody have any idea what it might actually be? I guess it's about the right length for a boarding saber and the grip does appear to be horn. I assume it's European.

RSWORD · 17th May 2014, 02:37 AM

What you have are the remnants of a Vietnamese Guom sword. It has a "habaki"(? ) at the forte like you see on Asian swords. The handle material is horn and possibly eve rhino. Is the guard copper plated? Many of these had copper guards with silver decoration. This one has a steel hand guard which is a bit different but probably indicative that this is a military sword as opposed to a court sword. I would venture a guess that this sword is early to mid 19th century.

RSWORD · 17th May 2014, 02:38 AM

The word I meant to say was tunkou not habaki.

Multumesc · 17th May 2014, 11:07 AM

Interesting sword.It seems to be in Asia.

blue lander · 18th May 2014, 06:10 PM

Thanks both, it does appear to indeed be a Guom sword. I read these were influenced by French style sabers hence the somewhat European features. I looked through google for other images of Guoms and they're all far more ornate. Ornate ones are apparently more commonly found outside Vietnam because they made for better souvenirs.

Jim McDougall · 23rd May 2014, 04:08 AM

I am inclined to agree that this is indeed a guom from Vietnam, and the European style hilt corresponds expectedly to the profound French influences there. The condition of the metal suggests this is an 18th century weapon modeled on French hangers and couteau de chasse of latter 18th.

Clearly this blade has been considerably shortened, and the rounded tip suggests intent for slashing cuts. The sabre itself probably Nguyen dynasty of that period, but the shortened blade and rounded tip suggest possible connections to the establishment of a navy there under the French and around end of the century, perhaps an ersatz dirk type weapon .

15th May 2014, 08:06 PM	#1
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Some sort of naval saber? I just won the auction for this. The seller didn't have much to say about it other than that it was old, the grip was horn, and that it was possibly a marine saber. It's only 65cm long. Does anybody have any idea what it might actually be? I guess it's about the right length for a boarding saber and the grip does appear to be horn. I assume it's European. Attached Images

17th May 2014, 11:07 AM	#4
Multumesc Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Romania Posts: 203	Some sort of naval saber? Interesting sword.It seems to be in Asia.

17th May 2014, 02:37 AM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	What you have are the remnants of a Vietnamese Guom sword. It has a "habaki"(? ) at the forte like you see on Asian swords. The handle material is horn and possibly eve rhino. Is the guard copper plated? Many of these had copper guards with silver decoration. This one has a steel hand guard which is a bit different but probably indicative that this is a military sword as opposed to a court sword. I would venture a guess that this sword is early to mid 19th century.

17th May 2014, 02:38 AM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	The word I meant to say was tunkou not habaki.

18th May 2014, 06:10 PM	#5
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Thanks both, it does appear to indeed be a Guom sword. I read these were influenced by French style sabers hence the somewhat European features. I looked through google for other images of Guoms and they're all far more ornate. Ornate ones are apparently more commonly found outside Vietnam because they made for better souvenirs.

23rd May 2014, 04:08 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	I am inclined to agree that this is indeed a guom from Vietnam, and the European style hilt corresponds expectedly to the profound French influences there. The condition of the metal suggests this is an 18th century weapon modeled on French hangers and couteau de chasse of latter 18th. Clearly this blade has been considerably shortened, and the rounded tip suggests intent for slashing cuts. The sabre itself probably Nguyen dynasty of that period, but the shortened blade and rounded tip suggest possible connections to the establishment of a navy there under the French and around end of the century, perhaps an ersatz dirk type weapon .