[Identification] Please help me to identify this sword.

[Alterax]

Hi,

I have a sword dating from about 100 or more years, his handle is polished gold and comes with its respective case also burnished gold, it includes its support (like a belt that is placed on the chest) for loading, and their respective cap embroidered in gold thread and feathers in regular condition. It has a shield on the sleeve with a raptor (I think it is an eagle) and in the blade is one with an inscription that says E Pluribus Unum, say it was General Jose Maria Cordoba, but is not marked, so no I can assure that with confidence. Asked Mr. John L. Calvo and his opinion he said that he believed was a sword belt, dating from the late nineteenth or early twentieth centuries and apparently carrying the hallmarks are from the USA. Attached photos. Thanks for your help.

[Vanguard41xx]

It is a lodge/fraternal organization sword.

[Cougar Allen]

I don't see any lodge symbols. The flaming bomb is Army Ordnance Corps insignia.

[Vanguard41xx]

I don't see any lodge symbols. The flaming bomb is Army Ordnance Corps insignia.

The style of the sword is what matters. In any case, many that were part of organizations were in the military (such as my ancestor who was a Captain during the civil war and was also in a fraternity)

[Irminsul]

That sword, as suggested by the hat and other regalia, suggests that it belonged to Colombian General Jose Maria Cordova, a historical figure in that country. The blade is certainly of American manufacture, but the owner conceivably was not. The variant spellings of Cordoba and Cordova could be the source of confusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%...a_C%C3%B3rdova

[Irminsul]

P.S. - No way that hat dates from "the late nineteenth or early twentieth century." It resembles the type of hat that was worn by the armies of Simon Bolivar and of San Martin in the South American Wars of independence in the early nineteenth century. Of course, it is derived or practically identical with the military hats worn in some European countries at that time and for years prior. If it turns out it does belong to Cordova, you may have the parade or dress sword of the Hero of Ayacucho and could be considered a Colombian national treasure and historical patrimony, for all I know. Very interesting objects all of them, in any case.

[CWL]

I doubt that sword is 200 years old. The Marshall hat isn't. If it were military dress and equipment from the South American Wars of Independence, they would have been copied 100% directly from the military dress worn in Europe, which would have been French or English style. While it is a "bicorne", the hat is a later design from probably 1860s+ and a sword from that time would have more-likely come from Spain or Germany.

Also, the details of the sword would not befit that of a military leader from the time of Cordova. It is pretty rough. Look at the quality of the sword belt buckle & serpentine clasp for comparison of quality.

Having "E Pleribus Unum" inscribed on the sword would also be an indicator of it not being a South American sword.

Looks more like Lodge regalia from the 1880s and later, or something designed for military parade carry by a Veteran officer.

[anvilring]

The "flaming bomb" is an ordnance symbol for several countries including Argentina, Brittan and Spain... ditto the eagle as a national symbol (Mexico, Nazi Germany etc...) and the style of the brocade suggests, to me, Latin America as does the "S" hook done up in double headed serpent motif. The motto on the blade though is American enough but who knows who else used it..

Typically "American" eagles have the stars'n bars beneath them or on their breast.

I don't know dick about the hat...

m

[bernard_levine]

I don't know much about swords.

In general outline, the sword resembles some US militia officers swords (all US officer swords were, and are, private purchase, but militia swords were less regulated than regular).
And yes, these staff officer swords were later used, then copied, as lodge swords.

HOWEVER, the detail quality of the sculpting, casting, and scabbard engraving is noticeably lower than on any US or European sword.

By contrast, the belt buckle is VERY well executed. But its flaming bomb is not USA style.
Plus in the US the flaming bomb was an Ordnance Dept emblem, and I am not aware of that dept wearing fancy buckles (if they did, I'd be the last to know).

So yes, it could be Central or South American. I have no information about swords made in that part of the world. Knives yes. Machetes yes. Swords, no.

BRL...

[Curtis_Lowe]

The eagles don't match up with American symbols. On both the scabbard and the guard the eagle heads are facing towards the arrows and not the olive branch. Also, there's 5 arrows on the guard and 4 on the scabbard not the normal 13. If it is a lodge sword or officer sword they probably would have gotten the symbolism correct, at least more than they did. If it is South American it might be an andean condor. If so, why it would have arrows and olive branches in its talons, I wouldn't know.

[bernard_levine]

If it is South American it might be an andean condor. If so, why it would have arrows and olive branches in its talons, I wouldn't know.

Building a nest!

If I saw the sword alone, without the Latin American props, I would not hesitate to say: Replica Made In India. And not by Mayan Indians, either.

I might be wrong... but that would be my impression.

Those props (hat, buckle, etc.) are MUCH higher quality than the sword.

BRL...

[spiraltwista]

The flaming grenades the highest quality piece, then the belt, they leave evrything else behind,, The s catch is a modern badly cast crap & sword looks junk, bone handles rubbish & "carvings" also terribel so do the badley,cheaply cast brass fittings. Attach it to a famous historicle name & what does that normaly smell likel?

Spiral