Latest Mystery Sword

sabertasche · 9th February 2006, 07:08 AM

HI all, attached are scans of a sword I purchased last week. Stylistically it appears to be Eastern, but the blade is blue and gilt and remindes me of French blades. The blade is not Eastern and I have no idea as to whom may have used this sword. It is too light to be a military sword, there are no Cyphers anywhere so I can't attribute it to a city or state within the Austro - Hungarian Empire. I'm thinking it may just be a gentleman's "court" sword in a eastern fashion.

All the metal mounts gilt silver and are hallmarked for Vienna 1825 - 1866 (they're hard to make out). There is large amounts of white enamel on the flowers and inset real tourquois stones.

The scabbard was covered in blue rotting fabric held together with tape (I pulled this off). Once I removed the mounts I found traces of red fabric underneath them. I plan to recover the scabbard in red fabric rather than the blue.

All the mounts are also marked M&K. I have no idea who this is so I hope someone out there might let me know.

Comments and insights are most welcome.

Greg

Titus Pullo · 9th February 2006, 09:43 AM

That's a beautiful sword. I wouldn't use it even during the day it was made for the owner...it's just too extravagant!

manicdj · 9th February 2006, 03:46 PM

This is a blade, to pass from father to son ( what a fine)

Mark · 9th February 2006, 05:31 PM

Can you see any detail on the flags/banners decorating the blade? That might offer some clues.

sabertasche · 9th February 2006, 06:55 PM

I'll take some scans of the blade tonight and post them for all.

Cheers,

Greg

Andrew · 9th February 2006, 07:46 PM

French "Mameluk" saber?

Where's Jim on this one?

Rivkin · 9th February 2006, 09:03 PM

I am no expert, but it looks to me that the general style of a saber is that of ottoman balkans, early XIX century(?), painted stones (or the real ones) characteristic of early iranian to late ottoman production, however usually relate to the region of Trabzon, however could appear on non-Trabzon swords as well.

9th February 2006, 07:08 AM	#1
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Latest Mystery Sword HI all, attached are scans of a sword I purchased last week. Stylistically it appears to be Eastern, but the blade is blue and gilt and remindes me of French blades. The blade is not Eastern and I have no idea as to whom may have used this sword. It is too light to be a military sword, there are no Cyphers anywhere so I can't attribute it to a city or state within the Austro - Hungarian Empire. I'm thinking it may just be a gentleman's "court" sword in a eastern fashion. All the metal mounts gilt silver and are hallmarked for Vienna 1825 - 1866 (they're hard to make out). There is large amounts of white enamel on the flowers and inset real tourquois stones. The scabbard was covered in blue rotting fabric held together with tape (I pulled this off). Once I removed the mounts I found traces of red fabric underneath them. I plan to recover the scabbard in red fabric rather than the blue. All the mounts are also marked M&K. I have no idea who this is so I hope someone out there might let me know. Comments and insights are most welcome. Greg Attached Images

9th February 2006, 03:46 PM	#3
manicdj Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 18	blade in glass This is a blade, to pass from father to son ( what a fine)

9th February 2006, 09:43 AM	#2
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	That's a beautiful sword. I wouldn't use it even during the day it was made for the owner...it's just too extravagant!

9th February 2006, 05:31 PM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Can you see any detail on the flags/banners decorating the blade? That might offer some clues.

9th February 2006, 06:55 PM	#5
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	I'll take some scans of the blade tonight and post them for all. Cheers, Greg

9th February 2006, 07:46 PM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	French "Mameluk" saber? Where's Jim on this one?

9th February 2006, 09:03 PM	#7
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	I am no expert, but it looks to me that the general style of a saber is that of ottoman balkans, early XIX century(?), painted stones (or the real ones) characteristic of early iranian to late ottoman production, however usually relate to the region of Trabzon, however could appear on non-Trabzon swords as well.