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Robert Roeder
Location: Western NY Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Mon 30 Sep, 2013 11:43 am Post subject: help with sword blade ID |
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Hello,
A friend of mine showed an old sword blade he was given that he thought I could help him identify. I do not have images but can describe some of its features along with some markings.
To me it appears to be a "rapier" type blade - long and narrow (easily about 40+ inches from tip to end of remaining tang). The widest section of the blade nearest the hilt is no more than 3/4 inch. There is a section of about 4-5 inches that is rectangular in cross-section leading to the fullered section then to the cruciform blade. The tip was definitely sharpened to a point, not blunted like a fencing blade.
The only markings that could be identified are stamped (in capital letters) into the fuller on each side of the blade - one side is stamped "MARIA" the other "IESVS". Of course I assume they mean Mary and Jesus. There is also a small (maker's ?) stamp which to me looks like a stylized "W" or "H" with a Maltese cross beneath.
Thank you in advance for any assistance.
Rob
Bob Roeder
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Sean Flynt
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Robert Roeder
Location: Western NY Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Mon 30 Sep, 2013 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Sean Flynt wrote: | | Impossible for anybody to say without a photo, but my first thought is that it's from a modern fraternal sword (e.g., Knights of Columbus). Some of those blades are acutely pointed, and they're pretty common. |
Thank you Sean.
Yes, that was the first thing I thought of when I saw it. The only problem is it was dug up on private land in the area of a southern arsenal that was destroyed during the Civil War. I definitely thought of some fraternal order, but then one begins to question the deposition - Why was it buried? - Which can easily lead to much speculation.
The blade is somewhat corroded - darkened (possibly exposed to fire) w/ some oxidation, but still in pretty decent shape; you could still make out the details of the stamped lettering. Nothing of the guard, handle, or pommel remains. I thought the stamped lettering and especially the odd (Latin?) spelling of "IESVS might give a clue.
Bob Roeder
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Ruel A. Macaraeg
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| Posted: Tue 01 Oct, 2013 7:15 am Post subject: |
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| Robert Roeder wrote: | | The only problem is it was dug up on private land in the area of a southern arsenal that was destroyed during the Civil War. I definitely thought of some fraternal order, but then one begins to question the deposition - Why was it buried? - Which can easily lead to much speculation |
Robert,
The White Settlement Historical Museum has a similar sword which was also recovered from underground, though no other details are known: http://www.forensicfashion.com/1888AmericanFreemasonSword.html
http://ForensicFashion.com/CostumeStudies.html
Last edited by Ruel A. Macaraeg on Tue 01 Oct, 2013 8:50 am; edited 1 time in total
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Daniel Wallace
Location: Pennsylvania USA Joined: 07 Aug 2011
Posts: 580
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| Posted: Tue 01 Oct, 2013 8:19 am Post subject: |
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[quote="Robert Roeder"] | Sean Flynt wrote: |
The blade is somewhat corroded - darkened (possibly exposed to fire) |
if this is would be true - it strengthens a fraternity blade like knights of Columbus. i truly don't know what they do with their swords they are most probably buried with them when the owner passes. all object considered blessed, must be burned. i worked for my church for years and did feel a little odd when i was asked to burn and bury statuary that was damaged beyond repair.
with a few pictures I'm sure someone here will id it within a day.
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