Looking to make a US army commissioned officer's saber

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DrZums

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I'm currently going through ROTC in preparation to become an Army officer. I've seen a lot of the modern sabers that the officers use, and I'm not too happy with the etching designs and the hand guard/pommel.

I'm looking for a custom sword maker who would design a saber that meets all of the specifications, but one that has the look of an older saber. I miss the grandiosity and super fine details they used to put into the swords.

Any suggestions for makers (who have some experience with this kind of highly detailed work)???

Thanks
 
First, I'd like to congratulate you on becoming an Army officer, it's a fine thing and something you will be proud of all of your life. Now, onto your question. There's quite a few very good bladesmiths who could make your saber. The question is the engraving and highly detailed work on the hilt. I can't think of anyone who does that kind of engraving, and more than likely the hilt would have to be cast. I would think that kind of craftsmanship would be quite expensive so perhaps you could look for an older sword that would meet your reqirements. There's guys on this forum who may be able to help you there. A picture of what you want would be helpful. Anyway, it's just a thought. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
 
DrZums said:
I'm currently going through ROTC in preparation to become an Army officer. I've seen a lot of the modern sabers that the officers use, and I'm not too happy with the etching designs and the hand guard/pommel.

I'm looking for a custom sword maker who would design a saber that meets all of the specifications, but one that has the look of an older saber. I miss the grandiosity and super fine details they used to put into the swords.

Any suggestions for makers (who have some experience with this kind of highly detailed work)???

Thanks
Click to expand...

Welcome aboard

To be honest, they all are of the same fashion aside from presentation grades (which you would be allowed). The only difference in etchings is that some of the older swords have the eagle upright when holding the sword point up. Otherwise, the eagle and motto read correctly with the edge horizontal. There really is no real variance to the hilt (pommel, grip and guard) except as I mentioned presentation swords. The same basic profile has met specifications for 111 years. The presentation grade M1902 are a small eagle pommel with the eagle swallowing the knuckle bow and with synthetic red eyes, The guards are molded and chiseled/chased for high detail.

These are the same swords airborne officers sometimes choose for purchase and suiting both cavalry, infantry and air force.

Outside of specification and probably allowed per your commanding officer when on duty would be a foot officer or staff and field model from the American Civil War years. Aside from those two sabers were the straight swords used up to the M1902. If those are the swords that interest you, you may well be better served in finding a sound and clean example of an original. For social and wedding duties, I imagine you can wear whatever you choose to, regulation or not.

The variation of M1902 blade etchings is pretty minimal. They are all just about the same and have been for the decades the swords have been produced. You may enjoy reading through the following thread.
http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?107637-US-Model-1902-unusual-variations

Cheers

GC
 
I did a little more research and asked a few of my swordmaker friends. Here's a german company who bought wilkinson tools, and have been making military swords since 1883.

http://wkc-solin....armydetail.html

It looks like they may have what you are looking for.
 
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Weyersburg and Kirschbaum (as family names) go back in military sword making history long before 1883. Marlow White is the largest US distributor of WKC swords.

Because of the casting and forming requirements for making multi branched guards, most custom sword smiths are going to shy away from such a project. There have been some quite nice efforts for sabres with simpler guards from makers such as Kevin Cashen and Peter Swarz-Burt

The last time I looked at the WKC pages, I believe they did still offer customization of standard patterns and if the blade etching is one of the prerequisites, they will be more readily able to than any other source. However, those etching options will likely still be confined to stencils they already have in their shops.

The Philippine constabulary 1902 mdoels are quite nice, with a slightly more flowing grip shape and a nice wire wrap.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/for...17364-philippine-constabulary-officer-swords/

If you are indeed looking beyond the M1902 pattern, the same casting issues for a staff&field or foot officer type will only be compounded.


Chevalier d'Auvergne, of France also makes some American models.

Cheers

GC
 
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BTW, you are copying & pasting links from a thread somewhere instead of copying the actual address. Hence, the truncated links you are pasting do not work.

Cheers

GC
 
Yes, I see that, and sorry for the misstep, but not sure how to fix it. And my posting the Murray White link was an attempted follow up to your post, didn't think to mention your post with the Murray White reference.
 
Marlow White

Copy the address, not the text you see in a post somewhere. Go to the site, right click, copy address. Or hover over the link and right click copy address (not copying the text).

Cheers

GC
 
Thanks Horseclover, computers have never been my friend. I'll play around with it later. At least, the site pops up the minute you enter Marlow White in the search engine. I note the swords are nichel plated and unsharpened, thus making them next to impossible to sharpen without ruining the finish. I wondered why they were so inexpensive.
 
The Cold Steel one....isn't that 1055 carbon? A "real" sword, vice a SLO, so to speak? If it's well done, that might be a good one. It'd be "age-able", wouldn't it?
 
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