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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 143
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On the last day of 2023 I would like to show you my latest acquisition and ask a question about the manufacturer of the blade.
I bought this last month, not far from me, from a family where someone had passed away. They had no idea how the saber came into their possession, but it hung in their father's office for as long as they knew. It is the right saber in the first photo. I believe it is a hussar saber for an officer. In the Dutch army and weapons museum they have some almost identical copies. These are referred to as Dutch sabers from the Batavian Republic or the Kingdom of Holland (1795-1806). Because this one comes from a Dutch family, I assume that it also belonged to a Dutch officer. Unlike the left example, this one has been ground and is still reasonably sharp. Something that is not self-evident for an officer's saber. What I would like to know is who the manufacturer is? This could possibly narrow down the time period somewhat. The saber has the Solinger rose on the back and is marked on the ricasso. The problem, however, is that this is not completely visible due to the langet. What I can read is that it says "S & . Followed by several letters that, unfortunately, I can't make sense of. Who can shed some light on this? All that remains for me is to wish everyone a great 2024 with many beautiful old weapons. |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Black Forest, Germany
Posts: 1,192
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The sabre with the brass sheeth preobably is a French "Sabre d'officier de la cavalerie légère", produit à Solingen during the time of the Consulat.
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#3 | |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 251
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First off, a Happy New Year to you and our other esteemed members.
That is a lovely sabre, and I agree with your assessment that there is a good possibility that it belonged to a Dutch officer, one that could have served in Napoleons’ Grand Army, only to end up fighting against the French when the Dutch declared independence and changed sides! However we need to keep in mind that this style was popular with officers of other nations as well. That said, I have a very similar sabre that can be attributed to a Dutch cutler, so I think the odds are very good that yours is Dutch from the time of the Kingdom of Holland and after. The scabbard on my sword is likely a replacement from a French Hussar sabre. The cutler; Rhys, the two dots over the Y are typical Dutch spelling of ij. On the maker, I suspect that the S is for S & K of Schnitzler & Kirschbaum who were a prolific Solingen based distribution company rather than a manufacturer. This is the best information I have found online to the origins of the company, one that has a long history: Quote:
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#4 | ||
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 251
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#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 143
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 251
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The blade is also Solingen-produced and has the typical generic Solingen decorations. Rhys was the cutler who would have fitted the hilt and scabbard to an imported blade.
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