Hi everyone.

I am brand new to this site and am hoping that one of your experts can help me out.

Is anyone able to tell me anything about this sword? It is +- 1 metre long and has a solid brass pommel and guard. The guard itself is very thick and has the letters S & I (or it could be a Roman I, I am not sure) on the ends of the guard and one both sides of it.

It looks hand made and to be honest either the handle/grip has been reattached at one time or it was made by an apprentice.

Your expert help will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Amanda.

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Looks like a Masonic or some other kind of fraternal society sword. I'd guess late 19th, early 20th century based on the style.

Here is a very similar modern iteration:

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...onic+Sword

There was (still is) a fraternal organization called the Sons of Italy. Which abbreviates itself, reasonably enough, SI. I've never seen one their swords, but I would start looking there, as that is almost certainly a Fraternal Sword.

It is not an American fraternal pattern.

Wow - you gentlemen are brilliant - thank you!.

I have just emailed the Sons of Italy in New York to see if they can shed more light on the sword for me.

I am actually British and living in South Africa but about to go back to the UK in one months time. I bought the sword a good while ago from an online auction for my middle son who loves all parts of history.

I have just discovered that the UK now has very strict import controls on what they call "offensive weapons" and unless I can prove that the sword is either a fraternal sword or is over 100 years old, the UK authorities will not let it in.

(I have a similar problem with two Hollywood swords that he also has. They are part of a limited edition from 20th Century Fox but I am worried that the UK authorities will not let them in either!!).

I will keep you updated on what the Sons of Italy say and thank you once again.

Regards

Amanda

The problem with all sword legislation is that it is impossible to create a definition of "sword" that distinguishes between weapons, wall hangers, theatre props, and sporting implements. When my state was proposing such legislation I sent in a submission requesting this definition. They later sent me a response stating that the legislation had been scrapped because they couldn't agree on an acceptable legal definition of "sword".

I've seen very similar - if, honestly, less crudely made - things on Kult of Athena and other vendors, all of which claim to be based on 18th-19th Century Masonic swords. For example.

The mismatched grip and pommel nut in particular make me think this is not an actual fraternal sword, but much more likely either a modern Indian decorative piece AND/OR possibly a theatrical prop made by combining parts from a couple of different decorative pieces.