Please tell us about this saber. What year? Her story? Is this a rare sword? price?

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It is based on the British Pattern 1925 Royal Air Force Officer's Sword, but based on the emblem it does not appear to be British. Many countries adopted swords based on British patterns--I do not recognize the nationality of this sword. The Pattern 1925 RAF Officer's Sword is still the regulation sword for RAF Officers. Wilkinson were British sword makers and were highly regarded. The stamping on the blade looks too sloppy to be their work, but I suppose it is possible. Another possibility is that the stamping was added later to lend prestige to the sword.

It is a Chilean Air Force sword. See this article from Weatherly, now hosted on a number of sites
http://www.cutandparry.com/92_weatherly_swords.pdf

There is also a small sword dress type with the same star over eagle. I cannot give a specific date but would defer to research of the Chilean air force. I saw one go through ebay without a scabbard at less than $200. Post WWI I would venture to guess.
http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/chil...f-home.htm

There is an outside chance it is a Chinese fake but there are usually other traits pointing to that.

It is amazing how much like this bird is to earlier swords such as my Wooley&Deakin from the early 19th century.

[ Linked Image ]

Cheers

GC

eagles 'R' us

Definitely not a Wilkinson. The Chinese have made much better copies and add the patina, too heavily applied it seems.
In this case the dark brown patina next to dull brass and the lack of crisp detail points to a Chinese copy.
The oval with the eagle is not centred. The guard is not curved properly but bent at a 90° and flat where it should curve.

You have not shown the blades etching, this will also tell us more about the sword, the Chinese can never seem to get that right.

There are high points where there should be no heavy patina yet there is dark brown. Just doesn't add up.
The heavy wear on the eagle suggests a poor sand cast and then it was sanded down to remove bad or rough details.
More tell tale signs of a copy.

There are several other things aside from the Wilkinson and finish that should add up to it being Chinese. What should be an ancanthus wreath instead of a a blank circle and scroll. The scabbard fittings and blade profile.

A lot of times it is like playing blind mans bluff.

Cheers

GC

I suspect that any Wilkinson employee who stamped their name so sloppily into a blade would face instant dismissal :) The "I's used are obviously from a larger set of letter stamps to all the other letters.

I'm afraid that this has Chinese fake written all over it :(
Matt

This is how the Chilean Air Force sword looks like (Not a fake and made by Windlass):
[ Linked Image ]

As Shahril points out that makers of sword replicas are now getting some standing as dress and parade sword makers.

Where Indian made copies years ago were relatively poor look a likes now they have become better copies and due to price restraints of some militarys, have now been purchased to be issue swords.

Also lack of sources of authentic swords has dried up finding virtually all companies making their swords in India.

Replica swords are replacing and becoming modern authentic swords: http://www.militaryheritage.com/swords2.htm

Here is a traditional maker: http://www.wkc-solingen.de/newshop/wkcguide.html their swords are higher value and price.

Since swords are seen as just an overpriced part of a uniform some militarys purchase sword replicas at a third of the cost rather than to purchase a WKC or similar sword.

Then you have Pooley and Crisps that are priced comparable to WKC but I believe their swords are made in India also.

So just what is a modern authentic sword?