I just got back from a Civil War show and sale at the trade center in my town. I had a great time, I got to handle an orginal first half of the 18th century Scottish Basket-Hilt Backsword and a 14th century longsword. I also purchased my first antique sword. The man I bought it from said it was pulled out of the Chesapeake Bay near Deale, Maryland by someone looking for oysters. It's in pretty good condition, the blade has some deterioration due to being under water for so long.

What can you guys tell me about it? As far as I can tell, it's real and not a fake, but I'd like to make sure. The only marks on in are a D and B stamped on the guard. It looks like an infantry briquet, but was found in the ocean, could it be a cutlass? Or and infantry briquet used as a cutlass?

Anyway, here are the photos:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk184/Mega...G_9282.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk184/Mega...G_9278.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk184/Mega...G_9279.jpg

Congrats on your acquisition, I hope you will be able to find out some more about it.
Off hand It seems to resemble a French briquet more than any thing used by the US. I found this link, I hope it and other comments from more knowledgeable persons might bring you the information you seek.

http://arms2armor.com/Swords/euinfhr1.htm

Thanks!

It also resembles this one, an Italian model.

http://www.oldswords.com/database/viewItem.php?id=19029

No one? :(

Anyway, as far as I can tell, it is probably the french 1816 infantry briquet. Can anyone verify this?

Also, are there any records of these being used as naval weapons?