Could the eyelash mark originate from Vienna ?

Jim McDougall · 14th October 2023, 05:28 PM

An interesting saber, and with this tiger form hilt of course suggesting the regalia of the celebrated ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, who was killed by British forces at Seringapatam in 1799.
In observing this sword from photos, it is of course hard to say with certainty that it is of the period, especially as such weapons were produced in a commemorative sense for some time after this.

However, the blade on this example may be Styrian, a region in Austria which closely followed many Italian blade producing conventions, which included the use of the famed 'sickle marks' (eyelashes) . These markings were typically deemed "Genoan' but in actuality were used in numerous North Italian blade making centers, with Genoa the part of departure for these exports.

Styrian blade making centers produced blades for various East European countries including Hungary. The rest of Europe, notably France, became enamored of the colorful hussar cavalry units and the influences of their uniforms and weapons as well as numbers of Hungarian officers and troops joined their ranks in the latter 18th c.

The French were situated in India to the east in the coastal region of Pondicherry in the mid 18th century and later, allied with some of the Indian states in the antagonizing of the British interests there.

Tipu Sultan had of course notable disdain for the British, and often had French advisors and supplied materials so 'by the numbers' it is possible that a Styrian blade, via French presence, might have come into Mysori hands and been used in this type of Mysori saber.

The sickle marks seem in the proper configuration, and the three dots punched deeply while the arcs normally present are indiscernible in these images.

I am not aware of Indian blades using these multiple fullers in this manner and the blade, though recalling certain Italian storta style forms, seems more probably Styrian IMO.

Hope this helps, despite clearly speculation and the tenuous possible solution.

14th October 2023, 05:28 PM	#15
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	An interesting saber, and with this tiger form hilt of course suggesting the regalia of the celebrated ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, who was killed by British forces at Seringapatam in 1799. In observing this sword from photos, it is of course hard to say with certainty that it is of the period, especially as such weapons were produced in a commemorative sense for some time after this. However, the blade on this example may be Styrian, a region in Austria which closely followed many Italian blade producing conventions, which included the use of the famed 'sickle marks' (eyelashes) . These markings were typically deemed "Genoan' but in actuality were used in numerous North Italian blade making centers, with Genoa the part of departure for these exports. Styrian blade making centers produced blades for various East European countries including Hungary. The rest of Europe, notably France, became enamored of the colorful hussar cavalry units and the influences of their uniforms and weapons as well as numbers of Hungarian officers and troops joined their ranks in the latter 18th c. The French were situated in India to the east in the coastal region of Pondicherry in the mid 18th century and later, allied with some of the Indian states in the antagonizing of the British interests there. Tipu Sultan had of course notable disdain for the British, and often had French advisors and supplied materials so 'by the numbers' it is possible that a Styrian blade, via French presence, might have come into Mysori hands and been used in this type of Mysori saber. The sickle marks seem in the proper configuration, and the three dots punched deeply while the arcs normally present are indiscernible in these images. I am not aware of Indian blades using these multiple fullers in this manner and the blade, though recalling certain Italian storta style forms, seems more probably Styrian IMO. Hope this helps, despite clearly speculation and the tenuous possible solution. Attached Images