Heavy 18th c. European sword

Jim McDougall · 30th June 2007, 02:37 PM

This appears to be one of the famed Prussian 'Blucher sabres' that if not mistaken were the German counterpart of the British M1796 light cavalry sabres. While I do not have my resources handy, there was a book written on these by Gerhard Seifert. I believe best source of data would be "Cut and Thrust Weapons" (Wagner) and others with significant material on European regulation swords. The Solingen swordmaking families carried on for many generations, and the names as well as marks used by the early makers carried on as trademarks and symbols of quality there well into later centuries.
I am not certain, but am inclined to agree on the double head eagle being Russian, although it seems that it was used in the Austro-Hungarian Empire as well (can anyone please elaborate on that?

Looks like a sound example, and the elongated rectangular langets are characteristically German, and the sabre would likely be from about c.1811.
Very nice Napoleonic period piece! If this piece is in fact carrying a Russian cypher, even more fantastic!

Best regards,
Jim

30th June 2007, 02:37 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	This appears to be one of the famed Prussian 'Blucher sabres' that if not mistaken were the German counterpart of the British M1796 light cavalry sabres. While I do not have my resources handy, there was a book written on these by Gerhard Seifert. I believe best source of data would be "Cut and Thrust Weapons" (Wagner) and others with significant material on European regulation swords. The Solingen swordmaking families carried on for many generations, and the names as well as marks used by the early makers carried on as trademarks and symbols of quality there well into later centuries. I am not certain, but am inclined to agree on the double head eagle being Russian, although it seems that it was used in the Austro-Hungarian Empire as well (can anyone please elaborate on that? Looks like a sound example, and the elongated rectangular langets are characteristically German, and the sabre would likely be from about c.1811. Very nice Napoleonic period piece! If this piece is in fact carrying a Russian cypher, even more fantastic! Best regards, Jim