Posts: 1,978 Location: Nipmuc USA
Wed 02 Mar, 2011 2:22 pm
Hi Richard,
Welcome aboard.
I do not know when exactly this is from but from the mid to late 18th century and even into the 1800s, a popular form overall. I have a couple of sabres with the same basic look but one fifty years or more older than the other.
I have missed the last few Hartford shows up here in New England but there was a fellow set up to reproduce and restore scabbards for these. Restoring the sword itself is probably not something to rush into, especially if wanting a sharp to play with. There are modern made swords that can help preserve the old swords from modern play. The grips get pretty fragile but I do have and have used (cut with) period swords that were sound enough.
There is a great conservation article done by Mark McMorrow, now the owner and chief administrator of Sword Forum International. I am posting the Lion Gate link to the article because Lion Gate is a fun site too. :)
http://www.antiqueswords.com/Conservation.htm
Well then, Rob's links dont seem to work but a great site to visit anyway. Here is a link to an ongoing discussion, also with a link to the article.
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=78325
http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/conservation.php
If there arte any initials, names or numbers on the blade anywhere, it will help more precisely identify it. The little buttress at the juncture of the stirrup hilt makes me think the last part of the 18th century but from where, I could only guess further. If the sword has been in the family for a long time, it is possible that uinformation about your ancestors will better place it in time and origin.
Cheers
GC