My Model 1861 Austrian Infantry Field Sabre has no makers mark, only a very small Austrian eagle on the forte. Can anyone give me a semi-exact date for it. This weapon was used from 1861(obviously) thru world war 1. This weapon still has the fishskin grip and silver wire so I believe it to be 19th century. Let me know what you know. I'm sure people are tired of me discussing this particular sword. Bear with me.

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Are there any traces of chrome plating? I would guess that is there is not evidence that it has been plated, that it is an earlier sword. The late 19th century and early 20th century examples I have seen tend to be plated.

Jonathan

Nope, no plating, just cold gray steel. I heard from one source that the makers mark "W.R.KIRSCHBAUM / SOLINGEN" indicates 1870 to 1890. But my sword does not have that. Just a very small austrian eagle. All the world war 1 versions of this sword have black finishes on the hilt and scabbard. Also the grip on them is leather or bake-lite.

Is the eagle stamped or etched on the blade?

Jonathan

I believe stamped.

Can you post a photo? I will have a look through my resources and see if I can find anything similar that might be attributed to a particular maker.

Jonathan

Well, the photo of the sword is up at the top, but the makers mark is so miniscule, that I wouldnt be able to take a picture of it. It is stamped and black, by itself, with no other markings anywhere. I'm not even sure if its double headed or not. I'll have to get a magnifying glass of some sort. But if you find any examples send them to me.

I did not find any matches. Are you positive it is an eagle? Could you make a drawing of the mark?

Thanks,
Jonathan

I'll study it closer when I get home tonight and let you know tomorrow morning.

This sabre is not M 1861 or common M1904. It looks like as Oesterreichischen Militaerpolizeit M 1862 (Sabre for Austria military police). I know this polezei sabre with mark Hoester and with scabbard wraping with black leadther.

Hmm, please tell me more. My scabbard is not wrapped in leather however. Do you mean that the double headed austrian eagle mark signifies police issue Police issue?

I have seen this sabre. Austrian sabres are tipical heritage of ancestors in family in central europa. Some time are sabres in very good conditions and there are especial pieces (without marking, abnormal issue and abnormal marking).
Your sabre can be model M 1862 issue for militar police, for civil police was special issue.
It is possible that your sabre unqualified restored, therefore you have no marking except Kaiser eagle, leftover was grinded. Leather can be destroy in the time.

I just read in a thread at SFI that the eagle stamp is an Austrian government acceptance stamp. If this is a police sword, you may want to contact George Wheeler, a regular in the Antique & Military Swords forum at SFI. George specializes in police swords and is very knowledgeable and approachable.

Jonathan