19th century sword or fake?

Jim McDougall · 12th March 2017, 06:22 PM

At first glance this instantly recalls the U.S. M1852 officers swords, but the scabbard (with baldric carry rings signals not). The hilt may be of French type as the U.S. swords followed their patterns, and a French sword used in colonial regions 'may' have had such mountings on its scabbard.

The sword seems right, though the detail on the 'Phrygian helmet' pommel seems either heavily worn or poorly executed, the grips seem right but would have been leather covered with wire wrap. The blade has good age and unusually long ricasso.

The 'crimp' at near the chape of the scabbard is a detail not usually seen in reproductions, nor the unusual scabbard carry rings, so there seems to be more to this sword. Reproductions or 'fakes' do not typically replicate such anomalies.
You need better pics of the guard and its detail, look for blade markings, and try to find more on military scabbards with these kinds of carry rings.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

12th March 2017, 06:22 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,290	At first glance this instantly recalls the U.S. M1852 officers swords, but the scabbard (with baldric carry rings signals not). The hilt may be of French type as the U.S. swords followed their patterns, and a French sword used in colonial regions 'may' have had such mountings on its scabbard. The sword seems right, though the detail on the 'Phrygian helmet' pommel seems either heavily worn or poorly executed, the grips seem right but would have been leather covered with wire wrap. The blade has good age and unusually long ricasso. The 'crimp' at near the chape of the scabbard is a detail not usually seen in reproductions, nor the unusual scabbard carry rings, so there seems to be more to this sword. Reproductions or 'fakes' do not typically replicate such anomalies. You need better pics of the guard and its detail, look for blade markings, and try to find more on military scabbards with these kinds of carry rings.