Identify saber

fernando · 4th November 2018, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

The top sword in Fernando's post 4 looks like a match. I think we have a winner!

And the prize is ... a saucer of barnacles ... and a pint of bitter

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ariel · 4th November 2018, 01:48 PM

Fernando,
Is it the photograph, or is this Portuguese blade sharpened only at its distal half?

fernando · 4th November 2018, 02:49 PM

Which one you mean, Ariel; the one in post #5 ?
The catalogue mentions "de um só gume e cota", roughly translating to "one only edge and back". What you would interpreter as single edged; in all its distance, it must be.

Jim McDougall · 4th November 2018, 03:24 PM

Wayne, brilliantly summarized notes on the Indian cavalry swords! a field of study which still often remains extremely arcane in the scope of military swords.
Which brings me to an even more arcane category of cavalry swords, which are those of Portugal. Perfect match of Bruno's sabre to this Portuguese example! While I have known of the Portuguese fashioning examples after the British model 1796 sabres, I had no idea of these intriguing designs in the langets.
My admittedly free association comparison to Indian langets on Indian tulwars suggested possible EIC connection based on other instances I had mentioned, but this specific match to the Portuguese sword would appear irrefutable, and delightfully so.

Thank you guys...…...discussions are the VERY best when something new is learned, and best of all, shared.

MacCathain · 4th November 2018, 04:45 PM

Another Portuguese sabre with exotic langets. From the Lisbon Military Museum.

kronckew · 4th November 2018, 04:50 PM

Love the finger loop, similar to one on Fernando's example.

fernando · 4th November 2018, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

Love the finger loop, similar to one on Fernando's example.

... Which were commonly referred as Sabres de Gatilho (trigger sabres).
The one below in this picture was for use by Army Staff Officers, those of the Corps of Engineers and Scouts.
The example above, more like Bruno's posted example, has the inscription VIVA PORTUGAL and is signed by A.Mesquita, the probable sword smith, a name however not listed in Sousa Viterbo's A Armaria e Portugal (1907).

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4th November 2018, 01:48 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Fernando, Is it the photograph, or is this Portuguese blade sharpened only at its distal half?

4th November 2018, 02:49 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Which one you mean, Ariel; the one in post #5 ? The catalogue mentions "de um só gume e cota", roughly translating to "one only edge and back". What you would interpreter as single edged; in all its distance, it must be.

4th November 2018, 03:24 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,285	Wayne, brilliantly summarized notes on the Indian cavalry swords! a field of study which still often remains extremely arcane in the scope of military swords. Which brings me to an even more arcane category of cavalry swords, which are those of Portugal. Perfect match of Bruno's sabre to this Portuguese example! While I have known of the Portuguese fashioning examples after the British model 1796 sabres, I had no idea of these intriguing designs in the langets. My admittedly free association comparison to Indian langets on Indian tulwars suggested possible EIC connection based on other instances I had mentioned, but this specific match to the Portuguese sword would appear irrefutable, and delightfully so. Thank you guys...…...discussions are the VERY best when something new is learned, and best of all, shared.

4th November 2018, 04:45 PM	#5
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 68	Another Portuguese sabre with exotic langets. From the Lisbon Military Museum. Attached Images

4th November 2018, 04:50 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	Love the finger loop, similar to one on Fernando's example.