Can anyone identify this crest ? -- myArmoury.com

William C Champlin · Posted: Tue 27 Feb, 2007 4:01 pm Post subject: Can anyone identify this crest ?

Hello folks. Can anyone I D this crest? It's on a court sword that I recently purchased. I was thinking that it's from one of the German kingdoms or principalities. The blade is marked solingen and something else that I've not yet deciphered.
thanks, W.

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

I have moved this topic from the Historic Arms Talk forum because it's not the right place for it. Please note the description for that forum: "Discussions of reproduction and authentic historical arms and armour from various cultures and time periods"

Thank you.

Felix Kunze · Posted: Wed 28 Feb, 2007 4:08 am Post subject:

This could be the Crest of the house of Baden, located in south-western Germany. In it´s history, the territory was broken down beetween various smaller territories like Baden-Hachberg, Baden-Baden or Baden Durlach. After the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, Napoleon created the Duchy of Baden, that existed until 1918.

William C Champlin · Posted: Sat 10 Mar, 2007 12:07 pm Post subject:

I finally have a little time and favorable light conditions, so here are a few more pictures of this sword. I f anyone can tell me something about it that would be great.
Thanks,W.

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Sat 10 Mar, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject:

Hi William,

The hilt elements look like French cutlery work to me. Can you share a picture of the entire sword?

Full profile shots of both sides of the hilt would be great.

Cheers

GC

Felix Kunze · Posted: Mon 12 Mar, 2007 12:15 am Post subject:

Hi William,

are you able to decipher the marking with `Schimmelbusch & Sohn` ? They were makers in Solingen and would match to a possible sword date of the second half of the 19th. century.

I have also done some more research concerning the crest of the Grand Duchy of Baden. The newly posted photos confirm my guess. The crest was often associated with oak leaves, and two griffins were added in 1853, and your example also displays two griffins heads.

I will try to find a better example of the crest and swords of this kind and will post them.
I hope my informations will help you.

William C Champlin · Posted: Mon 12 Mar, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks Felix and Glen. Things cleared a bit today so here are a few more shots. Btw it's 39 3/4" long with a 34" blade.W

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Wed 14 Mar, 2007 4:15 am Post subject:

Thanks for sharing the additional images. I don't really have anything more to add.

I have been trying to locate a thread elsewhere that had what I remember to be a catalog page that showed this hilt style. It was in the Antique & Military room of the forums at http://swordforum.com and posted within the past couple of years. There are some continental collectors over there with pretty vast knowledge and resources.

Beautiful piece!

Cheers

GC