What is this sword? Possibly British 1800s ...

ConfederateCanuck · 7th May 2020, 02:47 PM

Thanks for your opinion. We have two opinions that match (British). I started looking online at British swords from the 1800s and I can definitely see the similarities.

The information from the Forum has already proved useful! Hopefully, we can get this identified...that would be really great. My friend has had this sword for 40 years and he never really was sure of what it was or how to even find out.

He also had a musket, which he was told was from the War of 1812 (the one in North America). Being far more knowledgeable about antique muskets than I am about swords (almost zero knowledge), I was able to almost instantly identify it as an Austrian 1842 Pattern Musket, which most definitely was NOT used in 1812. These items had been passed down several generations through his family, but not the correct facts it seems.

By the way, I am a regular contributor on an American Civil War Forum (though I am a Canadian), so if anyone has questions about weapons from that conflict, message me and I will do my best to give/get you answers.

fernando · 7th May 2020, 03:49 PM

Welcome to the forum, Canuck ... and thank you for your offer concerning Civil War Weaponry info.
Can you show us that musket you are talking about ?

ConfederateCanuck · 7th May 2020, 04:19 PM

Since the opinions are tending to suggest a British origin for the sword, is there any way to change the title of this thread to attract those with British sword expertise?

fernando · 7th May 2020, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConfederateCanuck

Since the opinions are tending to suggest a British origin for the sword, is there any way to change the title of this thread to attract those with British sword expertise?

Tell us the new title you wish to change to; we shall see to that.

ConfederateCanuck · 7th May 2020, 05:49 PM

The sword looks very similar to British 1821 Pattern swords. Does that help at all?

Jim McDougall · 7th May 2020, 06:42 PM

I agree with the consensus here, pretty likely British, and that brass hilt conforms to various British patterns of mid 19th c. typically infantry, and other units officers swords . It is heartening to see photography that makes my own look almost discernible

.......but great post!
It's good to have a Civil War buff around, eh? (my daughter is in Upper State Michigan yooper land).
Thank you for the offers on input on that, thats what its all about here, sharing expertise!

ConfederateCanuck · 7th May 2020, 06:52 PM

Re the 1842 Austrian musket, it looks like this:

corrado26 · 8th May 2020, 07:44 AM

In its better days this was a M 1842 Austrian Infantry gun. Then in the 1870s, when many European governments sold their surplus muzzleloader arms to mostly Belgium dealers and gunmakers in order to gain money for a new series of urgently needed breechloader weapons, its Augustin system was replaced by a normal percussion system with a French cock. These converted guns then have been sold to the colonies and third-world-countries around the globe - what was a really big deal at that time.

ConfederateCanuck · 8th May 2020, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Tell us the new title you wish to change to; we shall see to that.

It would be appreciated if the thread title could be changed to "What is this sword? Possibly British 1800s" or whatever else you might recommend would attract the right kind of experts to the thread.

Thanks.

corrado26 · 7th May 2020, 04:31 PM

In case it is really an Austrian M 1842 infantry gun it must have a percussion lock with the AUGUSTIN system.

ConfederateCanuck · 7th May 2020, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

In case it is really an Austrian M 1842 infantry gun it must have a percussion lock with the AUGUSTIN system.

Many of those were later converted to percussion. His is percussion. But whether it was converted to percussion or made in percussion, I can't be certain...I need to learn more. His musket was made in 1851, so if you have any additional information to share based on that date, that would be appreciated. Any links to Austrian musket websites also appreciated.

7th May 2020, 06:52 PM	#7
ConfederateCanuck Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 11	Re the 1842 Austrian musket, it looks like this: Attached Images

7th May 2020, 02:47 PM	#1
ConfederateCanuck Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 11	Thanks for your opinion. We have two opinions that match (British). I started looking online at British swords from the 1800s and I can definitely see the similarities. The information from the Forum has already proved useful! Hopefully, we can get this identified...that would be really great. My friend has had this sword for 40 years and he never really was sure of what it was or how to even find out. He also had a musket, which he was told was from the War of 1812 (the one in North America). Being far more knowledgeable about antique muskets than I am about swords (almost zero knowledge), I was able to almost instantly identify it as an Austrian 1842 Pattern Musket, which most definitely was NOT used in 1812. These items had been passed down several generations through his family, but not the correct facts it seems. By the way, I am a regular contributor on an American Civil War Forum (though I am a Canadian), so if anyone has questions about weapons from that conflict, message me and I will do my best to give/get you answers.

7th May 2020, 03:49 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Welcome to the forum, Canuck ... and thank you for your offer concerning Civil War Weaponry info. Can you show us that musket you are talking about ?

7th May 2020, 04:19 PM	#3
ConfederateCanuck Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 11	Since the opinions are tending to suggest a British origin for the sword, is there any way to change the title of this thread to attract those with British sword expertise?

7th May 2020, 05:49 PM	#5
ConfederateCanuck Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 11	The sword looks very similar to British 1821 Pattern swords. Does that help at all?

7th May 2020, 06:42 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	I agree with the consensus here, pretty likely British, and that brass hilt conforms to various British patterns of mid 19th c. typically infantry, and other units officers swords . It is heartening to see photography that makes my own look almost discernible .......but great post! It's good to have a Civil War buff around, eh? (my daughter is in Upper State Michigan yooper land). Thank you for the offers on input on that, thats what its all about here, sharing expertise!

8th May 2020, 07:44 AM	#8
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	In its better days this was a M 1842 Austrian Infantry gun. Then in the 1870s, when many European governments sold their surplus muzzleloader arms to mostly Belgium dealers and gunmakers in order to gain money for a new series of urgently needed breechloader weapons, its Augustin system was replaced by a normal percussion system with a French cock. These converted guns then have been sold to the colonies and third-world-countries around the globe - what was a really big deal at that time.

7th May 2020, 04:31 PM	#10
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	In case it is really an Austrian M 1842 infantry gun it must have a percussion lock with the AUGUSTIN system.