I really would like to get a spadroon with a solid varient grip. I tried for a few that didnt have the folding guard. Maybe a should keep an eye for NCO spadroons. I also like the plain wood grip. I almost wish mind didnt have the foil.
The illustrations are very similar on both those blades. I wouldnt be suprised if they came from the same cutler. I also think its possiblle that that sword was being "marketed" to a cavalry officer. The length of a blade isnt really the issue. Its more like 60 spadroon blades are illustrated with different braches of the service, to attract an officer in that branch to maybe buy them. Also that guard does seem more like a horsemans guard. But more importantly.......................................
Who wouldn't want to own "The Dragoon Spadroon" ?!?!

I understand, Glen. I just wanted to point out that it is not a horseman’s sword, just in case someone visited the auction and took the dealer’s description at face value. :)

Jonathan

Morgan,
By "marketed" do you mean by the original sword cutler or the current seller? If you mean the former, I think a cuter would have had a hard time selling a spadroon to a cavalry officer for anything other than dress.

Jonathan

I'm forgetting the exact context and neglected to save the image but another blade was under discussion that had an Athena figural engraving and I raised the same thought about maybe engraved at the same shop. With what was going on the length of cutler's row in Birmingham and elsewhere, it is really hard to say, as so many hands may have been involved, Certainly of a same or similar general pattern book, as it were. My GR and crown are a bit more fluid than that engraving but still otherwise quite like it.

Salter has a plain Jane and I have seen others out there sitting at dealers. for fairly short dough. Even Michael D Long has had some at prices that have beat the realized auction prices hands down.

Cheers

GC

Jonathan,
Financial enterprise does breed creativity. No harm in trying every variation. If the "Epee Anglaise" is a popular trend during a wartime patriotic period why not make them as attractive to as many buyers as possible? Its easy to switch out a hilt and see what sells. I take it into account that swords weren't bought just for there practical worth only, but as items also of recreational purchase. Male jewlery, especially if your a gentleman. More than one sword, why not? And your guess of it being used as a possible macho dress sword for cavalry officer is a good one!

This isnt a Spadroon but it is the british fighting officers sword I would love to have. Its from the 7 years war and has a double edged rapier blade and a solid bilobate guard. I like the rough wood grip! Man O man!

This isnt a Spadroon but it is the british fighting officers sword I would love to have. Its from the 7 years war and has a double edged rapier blade and a solid bilobate guard. I like the rough wood grip! Man O man! From the Lanes Armory of course. These pics gave me real trouble!

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Are there any examples of double edged Spadroons? Wikipedia makes mention of that, but I've never seen any myself.

Glen,

That Spadroon on the bottom is a doozey. Can you tell me more about it? Is it a variation 1796?

The P1796 infantry sword never officially had a folding guard, but most have that feature. Makers, and the officers buying the sword, obviously had certain leeway with some of those details. Could it be for infantry? Sure.

I have seen a similar example of that old tyme type quillon arrangement listed as an artillery officer's sword. The example was (of course) from the Michael D Long pages. Below find more of that example.

Somewhat interestingly, there are several varieties with a similar blade that turns up on Ames American militia officer swords. The fullers on those tend to be less than half the length of the blade and the grips are often of the reeded bone variety and pommels knight's head. I am aware of various grades of those, with some reaching astronomical prices when linked with good provenance of presentation, especially Mexican War and American Civil War personages.

Cheers

GC