Hello everyone,

I got this unhilted sword and sheath for very little a few days ago and I was wondering if anybody has a clue what it is. The blade is 20 inches long with a 26 inch total length. It has a weight of 12 oz.

Pic 1: Just the blade.

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Pic 2 : Blade and sheath (the sheath is slightly split where the stiching connects the leather together).

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Pic 3 & 4 : Blade markings (One is possibly a P and the other I am thinking is J . K ?)

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So, anybody got any idea what I have? I thought maybe a mid 19th century policeman's sword?

cheers,

Colin

Well, I don't claim to be any kind of expert... I just have my collected experiance to guide me.
So my first impressions was that of a dussak. I remember them being common to eastern european countries i think, so maybe a Polish dussak? I'm sure the markings refer to something else entirely, but that was my first impression.
I know an expert will guide us better soon. ;)
I'm just making an attempt at it.

Not at all an expert, but the blade puts me in mind of a cutlass - the small size would seem to indicate a close quarters weapon.

As for the "P" stamped on the blade, looks more like a cannon to me, and the "J" and "K" appear etched vs. stamped, so, initials of one of the former owners maybe? I would expect a makers mark on a utilitarian piece to be a quick stamp vs. the more time consuming etching.

Just my $0.02 - worth about as much as well ;)

Thanks for the ideas! I had thought of cutlass as well, but I always had the thought that such weapons were a little more hefty than the mere 12 oz. this weighs. Although it does have a good feel/heft to it for a weapon of its size. I must admit dussack hadn't crossed my mind, but you might be right given the length and weight of it. The seller said it was definitely pre 1800, although I am not so sure. It does not show any signs of actually being hilted previously either, but the tang does have radius corners at the shoulder of the tang and blade.

Anyone else able to shine some light on this?

thanks!

Colin

Hi,
The script looks continental European rather than British and if that's the case it's more liable to be from an infantry sidearm rather than naval cutlass. Check out the French/German/Spanish Briquet infantry sabre which was popular in the late 18th early 19th Century and it should give you an idea of the type of arm it might be. Hope this is of some help.
Regards,
Norman.

Answer provided here: http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=87668

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan, was just coming on to post that link myself!

thanks everyone!

Colin

EDIT: Just after this post I registered on the oldswords.com website and there are 2 swords there with identical blades being identified as 1765 Austrian Fusiliers swords. Goodness knows how it got to me!