I wonder if anybody has more information on the Irish spadroon at the bottom left of this picture?

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/download.php?id=12607

I'm wondering whether it was a customized personal item or a production model, and its provenance in either case. Or perhaps an enlargement of the text in the picture. ;)

I have attached a close-up of the spadroon:

Jonathan

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From Neumann's "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" [ Download ]

Well, the photograph has little enough detail that I'm willing to give it the benefit of doubt and say it might be beautiful to see close up. But if not, I'm still interested in seeing a closer shot of the customization--if any are available. Even if it's not necessarily beautiful as it is I'm sure the design idea is amenable to some...er..."beautification" if I should consider ordering a custom replica loosely based on it.

Oops. Sorry, Jonathan--I replied before your reply came up. Thanks for the close-up!

I have always liked this sword, so I would love to see it recreated. Is this a project you would pursue on your own? If not, who would you consider to make one for you?

Jonathan

I haven't thought about it, but I'd probably take one among those recommended to me in the previosu spadroon thread. Old Dominion Forge or A&A are the first possibilities although I'm also considering Tim Harris's offer.

And still saving the money for the whole thing! ;)

Personally I think it's rather nice looking. I have a windlass stainless number like this, and whilst I wouldn't hit anything with it, it being stainless, I must confess the balace is wonderful for such an inexpencive peice.

Hi George,

Thanks for that. I don't think those are stainless, as many of the vendors offer it as a sharp. Windlass does sell some stainless, as in their approved military patterns, I was forgetting about those.

I've always thought it a bit of a stretch to classify the M1840 NCO as a spadroon but it does vaugely fit the classification. With a cast hilt and kidney guards, I guess having a fullered straight light blade makes it look similar to the sword discussed. There are several levels of quality in the reproductions of these 1840s. Windlass at least did this model a bit better than Deepeeka.

Cheers

GC

Neumann notes that the hilt is silver, so my guess would be that it was an officer's custom job. I can't imagine it standing up to much combat.

I've done an approximate reproduction of this as a personal project - in steel. It turned out to be a handy fighting weapon, and offers quite good hand protection.

I think that part of the attraction with this sword, at least for me, is that it is Irish. There are probably a number of swords that originate from Ireland, but it seems that verifiable examples are rare. The few Irish swords I have seen (which are limited to books and websites) are similar enough to English examples, but have a certain character that distinguishes them as unique.

I think that the sword is (or was) in George Neumann's collection. His book, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, came out in 1973. I think a 35th anniversary color edition would be fantastic (40th might be more of a milestone, but that would push my fantasy of a re-release too far into the future). I suppose I should start saving my pennies in case Neumann's collection ever comes up for public auction.

Jonathan

PS--Thanks for the additional photos, David.

PPS--Tim, any chance you could share a photo of your re-creation of the Irish spadroon?

Even if it weren't Irish, the form alone would have attracted me. I second Jonathan's request for some photographs of Tim's reproduction of the sword.