Show Us Your 18th century swords! -- myArmoury.com

Morgan Butler · Posted: Thu 10 Feb, 2011 9:58 pm Post subject:

Thought I would post pics of my 1786 British Spadroon...

Morgan Butler · Posted: Sat 12 Feb, 2011 11:11 am Post subject:

This is a nice 18th century smallsword with what looks a french military hilt. I almost got this, but found out that the last portion of the blade was too corroded for my liking. (It's since been sold.) But it has a lovely hilt.

David Ledoyen · Industry Professional

Morgan Butler · Posted: Sat 12 Feb, 2011 12:03 pm Post subject:

I don't actually have the exact dimensions David. Though I did ask about the blade and he confirmed it was hollow ground.
As I recall it was about 27 inches long and more of a smallsword blade than Soldier-blade.

Morgan Butler · Posted: Sat 12 Feb, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject:

David, I actually I just found more photo's that he sent me. Here is what he said about the blade. "The wide of the blade is 2,3cm at the begining of the blade" I have other pics of the sword. PM me your E-mail address and I will forward them. I cant seem to upload them here.

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Sat 12 Feb, 2011 1:09 pm Post subject:

Here is another reproduction I had bought to grind down a bit and is still on the to do list, Quite like a Neumann listed example that could fool the unwary. I have curled the pointy end of the guard, as it was basically a sharp ripping point and might easily hurt someone just hefting it. The tang looks wide through the cup but I have still not dismounted it yet. I t needs to be apart to ssee if it is even worth the effort of grinding the thickness. It is beasty heavy as it is.

This had come from Grendel's Cave a couple of years ago. They may still be around retail but watch out if listed as old.

Cheers

GC

Morgan Butler · Posted: Sat 12 Feb, 2011 1:20 pm Post subject:

Hey Glenn,

That is really cool! Right out of the Neuman book by george! It would fool the unwary, for sure. I'll be interested in hearing about it as you "reverse-engineer" it and then review it.

Norman McCormick · Posted: Sat 12 Feb, 2011 4:15 pm Post subject:

A modified version of the so-called 1742 hanger. The boat hilt guard has been removed for whatever reason and looks contemporary with the working life of the sword. No makers name but a less than usual version of the 'running fox/wolf' mark stamped on both sides of the blade.
Regards,
Norman.

Morgan Butler · Posted: Sat 12 Feb, 2011 10:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the pic Norman. that is a very nice looking hanger. A lot of those hangers have one or both guards removed. I think for some kind of civilian use later in the swords working life. Being left handed I would prefer both gaurds removed than just the usual left guard. It is a handsome looking weapon you have there. I have tried on occasion to aquire an M.42 but have had no luck. Thanks for posting it.

Here is an interesting sword I found on a french weapons site:http://www.expert-armes.com/index.php?id=203

this is a EPEE D'INFANTERIE TYPE 1730 DU RGT SUISSE ET GRISONS

Roger Hooper · Posted: Sun 13 Feb, 2011 12:28 am Post subject:

Here is an original English cuttoe (sadly not mine)

Dated 1736
Silver hilt, green stained ivory grip
Makers Mark - WK
31 inches overall length

Norman McCormick · Posted: Sun 13 Feb, 2011 11:44 am Post subject:

Hi Morgan,
Thank you for your kind words. I picked up the '42' at a small local auction where it was described as ' a sword in the French style', a happy circumstance for me. Here is a cutlass/hanger blade with the remnants of a scabbard which could slot into the 18th or 19thC's. It is marked on both sides with the G.R. stamp and the tang, as you can see, has a makers stamp. I have contacted the Royal Armouries, who thought 18thC might be more probable, regarding the maker but they have no records that match. There were so many small establishments making, grinding, finishing etc. that many names have just not survived into the records. Hope this is of interest.
Regards,
Norman.

Morgan Butler · Posted: Sun 13 Feb, 2011 12:50 pm Post subject:

Any plans to hilt that sword with period pieces, Norman?

Norman McCormick · Posted: Mon 14 Feb, 2011 9:17 am Post subject:

Hi Morgan,
I have indeed over time looked for period fittings but so far no luck and I have considered good quality repro but I dismissed the repro route a long time ago as I only have antiques in my collection and would rather keep it that way. I think my best bet would be a sword with a broken blade rather than complete fittings and no blade which I reckon would be a bit scarcer, I go to most local auctions so one day!!!!. Thanks for your interest.
Regards,
Norman.

Morgan Butler · Posted: Mon 14 Feb, 2011 3:41 pm Post subject:

Here are some new pics of my cleaned up french smallsword with the 17th cen. blade. The blade has SAHAGUM stamped in the fuller.

Morgan Butler · Posted: Wed 16 Feb, 2011 9:14 am Post subject:

Here is the Prussian version of an Epee' du Soldat. It is their Infantry Officer sword. It is also the pattern that the British based their Infantry Officer sword on, The ubiquitous 1796 Spadroon.

Bryce Makela · Posted: Thu 17 Feb, 2011 12:02 pm Post subject:

Great collection of British swords thanks for the photos.....

Tom Donoho · Posted: Sat 19 Feb, 2011 2:30 pm Post subject:

Hi all.

Nice thread.

Here is a nice late 18th century small-sword from my collection:

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David Ledoyen · Industry Professional

David Ledoyen · Industry Professional

Now a French grenadier saber of the 1750's. A sturdy piece. The blade is from the "Manufacture royale" at Klingenthal.

Photobucket image

Morgan Butler · Posted: Tue 01 Mar, 2011 10:06 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the pics David!

I love the French Infantry Sword of course. The square knuckle guard really does give it that late 17th cen. look. What is the length on it? There was another French infantry sword on E-bay a few weeks ago with a "Buy now" status on it. It was the same one I own but covered in patina. I'm sure if the blade was cleaned up it would've had the fluer de' li stamp on it. Unfortunately it wasnt financialy feasable for me to purchase. Or I would have! Loved the Grenedier Sabre of yours too. By the way, I was intrigued by your term of "Demi-Espadon Blades", do you have any examples?

I have an infantry hanger that is either late 18th or early 19th that I will post here soon. But for now here is an 1780's smallsword/mourning sword that I own. These pics are before I cleaned it up.