David Critchley

Hi James, I've looked through some old auction catalogues at home and examples with the full backpiece like yours are listed as "Danish mid 19th C" no pattern date I'm afraid. I agree the W could stand for Weyersberg, a Solingen firm that later made blades under contract for the British 1885 cavalry sword but my 85 has the mark Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & CiE Solingen on the forte.

I want to say it's the 1860 pattern James, but I need to check something like Wagner's "Cut and Thrust Weapons" There's also a Danish sabre of around the same period with a similar guard that I've seen at auction. I'll try and tie it down exactly when I get home. The main difference between the two is the grip backpiece, the other has a French style half backpiece, but I can't remember which is which at this precise moment.

Its a mid 19th C Italian cavalry pattern sword I believe David

I think it's a copy. The etching on the blade is too shallow, the grip is the wrong shape and colour, the VR cypher is too imprecise and the T proof mark is known to be used on fakes of this period. Post to www.swordforum.com the Antiques and Military section if you want a second opinion. Regards David