Identify Sword?

V

visito1

Joined
Dec 23, 2012
Messages
4
Can anyone give me any hints as to what kind of sword this it? What it's worth? Send me in the right direction? I have no experience with swords. This was my fathers, he said he got it from his dad, grandfather...can't remember. I have little info on it. I will post a better picture soon. There is an engraving/stamp, looks like it says something about paris? I will have to clean it off to read it better.
20121218_065150_zps09b54353.jpg
 
I think that's an artillery short sword. Not exactly sure on how old, are there any markings on the blade?
 
Welcome aboard

The sword is a French 1831 model glaive carried by the infantry. You will often find them listed as artillery but they were destined for the infantry.

glaive1b.jpg
glaive2.jpg


For the time being, I would suggest not going crazy trying to reveal the markings unless you are prepared to do a gentle job of conservation. On the secondary market, the value will be best kept by not messing woth it at all. As a personal collection item, careful cleaning will help preserve the item. For now, no more than a soft cloth and light oil.

Search French 1831 sword on Ebay and you will see what the street thinks. look to completed sales for prices. Even primo examples are not a four figure item The American 1832 artillery short sword in much higher demand and in turn based on an earlier (1816) French pattern.

As mentioned, most will list these (wrongy) as an artillery sword but easier to find search hits for them. Not quite as common as dirt but there are a lot of them to be found out there. Much of Europe and even the UK had similar patterns.

Happy Holidays

GC
 
Wow, that's it!! Amazing!! So if i did want to have it restored/cleaned/ etc where could i have that done at? Or should i not do it at all? you mentioned not messing with it....if i have it professionally cleaned/restored will that raise the value or diminish it?
 
I think I would be mostly repeating myself. They are very common. Value on the street is as mentioned and not hard to find. Any work will detract from the secondary market. They are about as common as dirt. Paid by the hour, if I were to clean it the cost would outweigh any appreciative advances in condition. In other words, pay someone else more than it is worth to clean it. Here are some tips. It is not exactly rocket science.

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?78325-Sword-Care-amp-Conservation



I believe this board frowns on evaluation, so I will leave it at that. One vague picture doesn't really relate the condition very well but I think I can see enough of its condition that "making it new" is not really where it will end up. There are a couple of ways I would approach it if mine to keep. My own little shop of horrors would scare many.

Start with light oil and a soft cloth. If determined, light oil and very fine steel wool will be the quickest "safe" brightener but you will make scratches.

Again, I will end up repeating most of what I have written.

Cheers

GC
 
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Ok, thank you. I am looking to make it look a bit nicer, and put it on display now that I know what it is. I just didn't want to ruin it by me trying to clean it myself, hence paying someone. But I will look at what you posted and give it a shot. Again, thank you for your replies!
 
visito1 said:
Ok, thank you. I am looking to make it look a bit nicer, and put it on display now that I know what it is. I just didn't want to ruin it by me trying to clean it myself, hence paying someone. But I will look at what you posted and give it a shot. Again, thank you for your replies!
Click to expand...

You can make it "shiny" but you can't make it look better. Just give it a wipe down and clean with mineral oil and let it be.

n2s
 
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