Basket-hilted (cage-hilt) sword for discussion

[jezcott]

Originally Posted by Triarii

Random thought, having seen it elsewhere and having a blade where grinding out nicks has changed the blade profile in a similar fashion eg rapid change in blade depth;
Could the broadsword cutting edge have been badly nicked? The nicked edge is then ground away, creating the spine and turning the blade into a backsword. The blade is then flipped over to put the spine on the reverse and appears as seen now?

It’s possible, but overall the blade is in great condition for its age, although that doesn’t exclude possibility of edge nicks. Certainly the work has been done to high professional standards - the revised spine is perfectly even along the length of the blade and perfectly smooth, and lightly chamfer edged.

[jezcott]

Further observation on the conversion of a two-edged blade to a backsword blade. I found this entry in Neumann suggesting that this was common practice in this era.

Ref. Neumann GC Swords and Blades of the American Revolution 1973 p141 238.S.