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Nathan Taylor
Location: Texas Hill Country Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Posts: 11
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 Posted: Sun 03 Apr, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject: Opinions Sought |
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Good Evening,
I picked this blade up from a friend who got it at a local auction and was trying to see if anyone has an opinion of it. Small swords are not something I have done a lot of reading on, however this one does not scream replica to me and wanted others input. The mark on the blade is "Bauche" and it is an eliptical hollow grind blade. The closest reference to a sword maker by that name was Baucheron-Pirmet but the mark is clearly Bauche. Any ideas on this one? Thank you for your responses
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Robert Weis
Location: Munich Joined: 03 Mar 2011
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Mon 04 Apr, 2011 5:40 am Post subject: |
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The mark on the blade looks relatively modern to me, it must be late 19th century or even more recent.
What material is the guard and pommel made of? There is metal visible beolw the gilding, but I can not decide what it is. Brass or bronze would be most commonly expected in the 18th century,
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Nathan Taylor
Location: Texas Hill Country Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Mon 04 Apr, 2011 6:14 am Post subject: |
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Thank you for your response. I think it may be brass below the gilding. From what I can tell it is solid and looks like brass not bronze. The capstain appears to be iron or steel. The mark and the grindlines near the ricasso is what makes me believe that it is a later sword, however the whole thing is a puzzle to me. I do like a good mystery 
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Gene W
Location: The South Of England Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Posts: 116
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| Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 10:36 am Post subject: |
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Nathan.
It looks like a modern sporting Epee blade remounted in an 18th century ormolu bronze smallsword hilt.
Can you show pictures of the tip?
Also have a look where the tang would be visible on the top of the pommel.
I don't recognise the makers name.
Even under these circumstances, good blades do turn up, so you could marry it back to a smallsword blade and have a nice piece.
Best
Gene
P.S. quite possibly done for theatrical or film purposes.
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Nathan Taylor
Location: Texas Hill Country Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 10:06 am Post subject: |
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Thank you Gene and robert for your responses. I managed to get a few more shots as requested including the remants of the sheath.
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Gene W
Location: The South Of England Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Posts: 116
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| Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 10:34 am Post subject: |
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| Nathan Taylor wrote: | | Thank you Gene and robert for your responses. I managed to get a few more shots as requested including the remants of the sheath. |
Well, looks like its been inserted 'properly' but I can't see the tip as the pic is too blurry. So saying, it looks like it's too thick (Epees are quite long) and the very point looks all wrong for a smallsword..
I don't think there is any doubt that it's a sporting 'fencing' Epee blade.
However., you've got a decent loking hilt with some scabbard mounts.
Look for a good smallsword blade, and Bob's your uncle!
I'd look for a 17thC one, that way it'll look like an 18thC remounting of an earlier blade, possibly for fashion purposes!
Best
Gene
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Zach Gordon
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| Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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Ok this may be a little far-fetched... but does it possibly say BOUCHE?
In french bouche essentially means mouth.
Sword swallowing is called l'épée dans la bouche
Perhaps this was a theatre prop used for sword swallowing and was marked accordingly?
Just an idea...
Z
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Nathan Taylor
Location: Texas Hill Country Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Zach Gordon wrote: | Ok this may be a little far-fetched... but does it possibly say BOUCHE?
In french bouche essentially means mouth.
Sword swallowing is called l'épée dans la bouche
Perhaps this was a theatre prop used for sword swallowing and was marked accordingly?
Just an idea...
Z |
I looked closer and saw that below BOUCHE is says VA ICI or "Mouth goes here"  Sorry could not resist.
Doing a little more digging I found a 1900s smallsword by Louis Carre that has the same style design and marking font. So I assume that Gene and Robert were spot on in their responses. Thanks fellas.
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This is a standard topic