Help identifying an 1821 sabre -- myArmoury.com

Martinho Ramos · Posted: Thu 25 Oct, 2018 1:57 pm Post subject: Help identifying an 1821 sabre

Gentlemen,

Very recently i've acquired an 1821 pattern sabre but the former owner had no information on the piece. There are three markings on the sabre, most significantly REEVES BIRM on the side of the strong (who I found out to be the maker, Charles Reeves of Birmingham ). There's an S stamped on the front of the ricasso aswell as a Crown on the quillon. I imagine this is what remains of a Monarch's monogram. I've read online that Portugal used to import these swords for the army and generally those were marked with an A.E. for "Arsenal do Exército" (portuguese for Army Arsenal ), which mine doesn't seem to feature. Still, this could be an option since i'm in Portugal and the former owner was aswell.

There's no scabbard with this sword so there's even less ground to look for potential stamps or markings, unfortunately.

The measurements are as follows:
Blade - 86cm
Handle/hilt - 14cm
PoB - roughly 12cm from the guard.

I would greatly appreciate if somebody would be so kind as to help me trace the sword's origin and date.

Jordan E. Williams · Posted: Thu 25 Oct, 2018 3:05 pm Post subject:

As far as I'm aware, the only fish skin gripped 1821s were made for the Portuguese or the British officers, but if yours isn't an officers sabre than it could be that the AE got worn off

Martinho Ramos · Posted: Sat 27 Oct, 2018 5:23 am Post subject:

Jordan E. Williams · Posted: Sat 27 Oct, 2018 8:29 am Post subject:

I've seen reference of 1850 - 1896 but know nothing concrete.