Please help me identify this sword

toaster5sqn · 10th December 2021, 03:57 AM

Given that the shoulders of the blade are visible below the cross guard instead of being inset into it I suspect that you have an old blade that has been rehilted. The blade looks a lot like a British spadroon blade and 32" is the exact regulation length for such blades. Also there appears to be a peened rivet in the middle of the cross which is not correct for a properly made blade and hilt but more common when someone without a background in swords makes something that looks like a sword.

So my guess would be a 1796 pattern spadroon blade that was repurposed as a masonic sword in someone's home workshop.

Robert

Radboud · 10th December 2021, 05:03 AM

I second Roberts comments that it is likely a composite of a spadroon blade and a cosmetic/theatrical hilt. Personally, I don't think it's a 1796 and more likely a later European type based on the ricasso shape.

Older spadroon blades from the late 18th or early 19th Century generally have a cutting edge that terminates closer to the hilt.

Cheers
Bas

mariusgmioc · 10th December 2021, 04:55 PM

Bingo!

There is a mismatch between the single-edged blade and the symmetrical hilt typical for double edged blades.

So I think you are spot on with your explanations!

ASPaulding · 11th December 2021, 03:24 AM

Ok thank you.

10th December 2021, 03:57 AM	#1
toaster5sqn Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 75	Given that the shoulders of the blade are visible below the cross guard instead of being inset into it I suspect that you have an old blade that has been rehilted. The blade looks a lot like a British spadroon blade and 32" is the exact regulation length for such blades. Also there appears to be a peened rivet in the middle of the cross which is not correct for a properly made blade and hilt but more common when someone without a background in swords makes something that looks like a sword. So my guess would be a 1796 pattern spadroon blade that was repurposed as a masonic sword in someone's home workshop. Robert

10th December 2021, 05:03 AM	#2
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 285	I second Roberts comments that it is likely a composite of a spadroon blade and a cosmetic/theatrical hilt. Personally, I don't think it's a 1796 and more likely a later European type based on the ricasso shape. Older spadroon blades from the late 18th or early 19th Century generally have a cutting edge that terminates closer to the hilt. Cheers Bas

10th December 2021, 04:55 PM	#3
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Bingo! There is a mismatch between the single-edged blade and the symmetrical hilt typical for double edged blades. So I think you are spot on with your explanations!

11th December 2021, 03:24 AM	#4
ASPaulding Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 84	Ok thank you.