Recommendation? Help Identifying a Custom-Forged Sword (Art Deco Marshal Sword?)

[Everest Forge]

Help Identifying a Custom-Forged Sword (Art Deco Marshal Sword?)

A customer recently contacted us through our custom forge request page to create a completely unique sword. The request was not meant to be a strict historical replica, so we forged it as a modern custom piece based on the client’s preferences.

After finishing it, we listed the result as the Art Deco Marshal Sword, but we’d genuinely appreciate help identifying whether the design resembles any known historical sword type — or if it should be considered purely a custom interpretation.

Specifications:

• Blade Length: 26 inches
• Handle Length: 12 inches
• Total Length: 38 inches
• Blade Weight: Approx. 2.5 kg
• Steel Type: Hand-forged 5160 leaf spring steel
• Heat Treatment: Oil tempered for durability
• Blade Edge: Sharpened and functional
• Handle Material: Rosewood with leather wrapping
• Construction: Fully handmade craftsmanship
• Scabbard: Handmade scabbard included

It has the proportions of a marshal / ceremonial-style sidearm, but it’s built as a functional sword rather than a purely decorative parade piece. Since it doesn’t cleanly match a typical longsword, saber, or cutlass, we’re not sure how best to classify it.

Questions for the community:

• Does this resemble any known historical or regional sword type?
• Could it be loosely connected to marshal’s swords, parade swords, or late ceremonial designs?
• Or would you consider it a modern custom sword with no direct historical classification?

Reference links:

• View the finished sword here
• Custom forge request page

Thanks in advance — we’d love to learn how collectors and historians would label this design.

 

[not2sharp]

It looks like an arming sword with way too much going on in the handle.

Where is the point of balance on this?

N2s

 

[Triton]

It looks like an arming sword with way too much going on in the handle.

Where is the point of balance on this?

N2s

Whew doesn't matter, if that's not a typo its over 5 lbs! I'm assuming that extreme handle length is to help balance it out but its still really heavy. I think that the term the OP might have been looking for is a "bearing" sword, i.e. A ceremonial piece borne in a parade or procession, Those are typically fairly heavy but they are also typically quite a bit longer as well. Also they were borne point up, so on this example the angel would be upside down. The blade looks sort of Oakeshott XVish, but I've never seen a hilt with that form in conjunction with that style blade. The "R" ish type pummel is also atypical for that blade type. In short I don't think its really very historical at all. I guess the customer got a truly unique piece!

 

[horseclover]

There is really nothing contemporary in western bladed sidearms. Ceremonial or not, this looks more like 24th century space trooper stuff. Unmanageable as a weapon at earth's gravity. In space and weightless? It looks like at least one bottle lift is included. The guard looks like some appeal to the heavens, that fails.

Make these instead.

A fancy kastane as an elector's hanger suited Popham

Cheers
GC

 

[Triton]

There is really nothing contemporary in western bladed sidearms. Ceremonial or not, this looks more like 24th century space trooper stuff. Unmanageable as a weapon at earth's gravity. In space and weightless? It looks like at least one bottle lift is included. The guard looks like some appeal to the heavens, that fails.

Make these instead.

A fancy kastane as an elector's hanger suited Popham

Cheers
GC

Can I just say how impressed I am that you were able to find a hilt that was at least in the ballpark!

 

[horseclover]

Can I just say how impressed I am that you were able to find a hilt that was at least in the ballpark!

It's much like sitting with decks of silhouettes of planes and ships.

Some presentation swords in the 18th century got a little carried away but usually leaving a functional sword. Some bling sword were getting a little silly, but often reviving themes.

My studies really focused on a single decade and three specific types. In the course of that, I have amassed a large number of files. While I am due for another upload, I had hoped 4.0 would be condensed and annotated. Here is Eagles 3.0 It is really just a clipboard. Some things won't make sense. Anyway, lots of flamboyant hilts, but less clunky. Frilly stuff usually lie outside the knuckle guard.

Eagles 3.0 - Google Drive

drive.google.com

My baby broadsword's beak breaker

If opening the master, head towards the American folder, German production, Spies. You'll see lots of variety in all the folders. It really is still just a clipboard, with current additions not uploaded yet.

Indonesia also has fancy hilts, Thai has an elephant pommel. Kastane from Sri Lanka. I actually have some DNA share with the island. As it appears in the 17th century, likely a seafarer.

Indonesian's naval military officer sword

123RF - Millions of Creative Stock Photos, Vectors, Videos and Music Files For Your Inspiration and Projects.

www.123rf.com

The World Eagles folder some Latin American eagles

In the Spies folder

Bolton, a favorite. About 1800

Cheers
GC

The Sinhalese Kastane: Its Development, Decoration and Symbolism - Ethnographic Arms & Armour

The Sinhalese Kastane: Its Development, Decoration and Symbolism Ethnographic Weapons

www.vikingsword.com

 

[SimplyMinded]

Whatever it is it's cool looking. Never seen one like it. It's that heavy crossguard and brass angel/eagle that's weighing it down I bet. Still, if the owner has arms like Conan he can probably handle it.

 

[horseclover]

Whatever it is it's cool looking. Never seen one like it. It's that heavy crossguard and brass angel/eagle that's weighing it down I bet. Still, if the owner has arms like Conan he can probably handle it.