[William V.]

Hello there,

a while ago I bought a pair of figure-eight duelling foils. I don't think that the sharp points are original, due to the fact that epees were the normal duelling weapon. But both are identically marked and I have no idea by which forge at what time. Perhaps someone can help?
As far as I know the "5" indicates the length of the blade (which means exactly? What were the shorter ones 1-4 good for?). The "Made in France" shows that the blades were made for export. Leaves the "star" as marking of the forge, but of which forge and when may these blades have been forged?
Thanks in advance

William

[Gary A. Chelette]

The #5 is for adults and #2 is for children.

French 5 is the most common fencing blade size. I've used many of them.
Megastar uses at least three identifying logos on its blades, an italicized star with italicized "S" , an italicized star by itself, and just the letters "MS".

[William V.]

Thanks for the answer. All clear about the blade length.
Megastar as possible forge could be a solution but as far as I know it is a
russian firm... . So on the one hand it seems highly doubtable that France imported blades from
Russia and marked them as their own and on the other hand I don't know if the forge is that old
(the foils seem to be a product of the 19th century).


MEGASTAR
Loukinskaia 7 appt. 405
119634 MOSCOU
RUSSIE

P.S.: I have added another pic of the weapons concerned to this message