sword identification

brock decendant · Sep 18, 2002

Hi there first time on looks great! I have a few swords that need identification.I have pictures (digital) but they are hogs on the memory.The first I have two of it resembles US model 1833 dragoon sabre but has subtle differences.The second is alike the infantry officers 1826 sabre. It is inscribed with regiment jagers .I went to the regiment jagers site but they are in german I think.Please help I can provide pics.Can we post pics here?

Robert Marotz · Sep 19, 2002

Yes you can post pics here, just make them attachments as long as they're less than 100k and they will upload. If they are big, try emailing them to me (one at a time though if they're really big) and I will see if I can resize them for you or put them on my webspace for display here.

Robert Marotz · Sep 21, 2002

I uploaded these to my web space after resizing.

I hope someone can help...

beluga · Sep 23, 2002

That's a mighty fine sword you have, it's in very good condition too.

Lucky you

FullerH · Sep 23, 2002

If we were to number the pictures on Robert's post 1-7, going from top to bottom, then pictures numbered 3 & 4 would appear to be of a variant of the Model 1851 U. S. Infantry Officer's saber, as used throughout the War Between the States and up until the 1872 Regulations. I cannot tell who might have made it, but it is a hansome piece that has certainly seen a deal of use from the wear on the bronze on the hilt. BTW, there appears to have been a twisted wire wrapped around in what are now the visible grooves in the leather part of the grip.

brock decendant · Sep 23, 2002

Thanks for the reply it seems the brass hilted sword is identical to the 1821 french infantry officers sword.Still not known who made it or when as there were copies made of this pattern by other countries.Regiment jagers still doesn't seem to narrow it down? Or again when it was used.Thought to be prussian possibly but the engraving shows what looks like a striped flag?

not2sharp · Sep 23, 2002

It is inscribed with regiment jagers

Actually, it looks more like "Regement Jagers?"

A jager would have been a German light infanty unit, which was traditionally recruited from one of the regions heavily populated with hunters. This sword strikes me as some form of military society sword and it may have been produced as late as the first two decades of the 20th century. During the post civil war period there were many popular military associations and former military veterans were sometimes organized to march in parades, and to host other social events. The well known sword factories were losing military contracts and desperate for new markets, so they used many of their old sword patterns to put together these especially commisioned club swords. They often look like military pieces since the same components were mixed an matched to produce the swords.

n2s

Robert Marotz · Sep 23, 2002

FullerH · Sep 23, 2002

N2s, you do appear to be correct. The picture 4 made it look like the blade was fullered, so I had discounted the engraving or etching as being on that sword. But a closer look at the pics shows that the blade is not fullered, that what I saw was reflections or shadows. But the general style is that of the Infantry Officer's saber, which would not be too surprising, given that we were copying the French in a lot of our military at that time.

brock decendant · Sep 23, 2002

I appologise to you all if I had not said the etching in the pictures aren from the brass hilted sword.Any idea what they might be worth? Thanks again for posting them Bob.
+

not2sharp · Sep 23, 2002

Brock,

Before we get to what they may be worth, do you see any makers marks on the swords; also please tell us whether you see any other marks or numbers anywhere on these swords and sheath(s)?

n2s

brock decendant · Sep 23, 2002

ok the steel hilted swords have the markings RC_vLC or LG on the ricasso.There is also a mark of AE on the finial and on the reverse of one D770 the other G876.The one is missing the leather at guard and under that is the number 37 below the ricasso and a large 2 on the sharp side would have been under the leather scabbard stop.The wire that wraps what looks like lizard or shark skin is three pieces.Two fine on the outer,rope type on the inside.The sword measures 39 1/2 inches in length and is 1 1/8 high.The scabbard has one ring which also has an AE mark on it and a B914 on the reverse.The other scabbard looks identical but does not have the AE on the ring.These two are heavy compared to the brass hilted sword.

Now the other brass hilted sword,has as in the picture regement jagers on it with no marks above the a.I have two more pictures of the battle honours location and will ask for them to be posted.Other than this the etching is quite beautiful having corna copias flintlock muskets flasks flags draping from a pike a drum
and bag hanging from a round hunting horn if you know what I mean. The grip is black horn and the finial very worn but has a flower(about 1/4") as does the basket on both sides.I don't have a scabbard but it is pitted deeply at the end 3 inches.It measures 35 1/4 inches not following the curve of the blade.the blade is 1 inch high and the leaf ahead of the regement jagers follows forward for another17 inches.Hope this helps Thanks B