a real sword

Vladimir · Post by **Vladimir** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:22 pm

Ok, it isn't from the middle ages, dark ages, or classical era, but it's still cool because it is real.

I work at a museum, due to the big budget crunch we have to empty one of our storage facilities and stop paying rent on it. So we had a big auction. My boss gave me first pick of the first lot.

I got this for 20 bucks. It is obviously made by hand, probably saw use as a farm tool before it became a sword. I don't know how old it is because we don't have records on it. My guess is that it is around 100 years old.

[img]http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee11/fryeguy_2007/realsword.jpg[/img]

Donal Mac Ruiseart · Post by **Donal Mac Ruiseart** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:55 pm

might be older than that. Militia officers in the Revolutionary period didn't have ready access to "made" swords, so they had the local smith make one up out of some available materials . . .

Vladimir · Post by **Vladimir** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:36 pm

I suppose I could take it to an expert or something. But it honestly doesn't look much older than that.

I wish we had some paperwork on it I could trace back.

brewer · Post by **brewer** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:16 am

ILL a copy of Swords and Blades of the American Revolution.

It looks to me like either an 18th-century hunting sword or a reasonable facsimile thereof. But I'd need to compare it to be certain.

Without provenance, you're pretty much screwed as to knowing without doubt what it is. But, hey, it's a frelling sword, and it's yours. Win-win.

Bob

Therion · Post by **Therion** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:34 am

If you can take better pictures of it, I can help you with the identification. In particular, get closeups of the grip and guard and junction with the blade - being able to see construction details really helps the identification process.

Vladimir · Post by **Vladimir** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:51 pm

My buddy has a digital camera. I've just got my phone. I'll take it over to him and get some pics.

chef de chambre · Post by **chef de chambre** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:55 pm

The problem is, that if it is a late 18th or early 19th century militia sword (highly likely, assuming it is real), then it will be the product of a local balcksmith, and entirely unidentifiable, as there are no fancy mouintings.

IDing soimething like this, is a completely different prospect from ID'ing something like my model 1820 light artillery saber, which has arsenal marks, and makers marks on it.