For Identification ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

I have another sword I had intended to post today - however, a customer has just emailed me pictures of this sword and is asking for identification .

I have not yet checked any books - so, I will tell you what I think and perhaps we can work out it's history ?

Firstly, I think it may be a Naval sword - the hilt has the usual lion's head - the blade has a curve - and there appears

to be a fouled anchor etched on the blade.

The lion's head has been quite roughly worked and the engraving is not good. I am wondering if it is of Indian workmanship and perhaps for the Honourable East India Company - who ruled British India until the 1850's - and had their own navy. I

would think from it's appearance that it would date to the early part of the 19th. Century.=

These are. just my thoughts - hopefully someone will be able to make a better call ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

The hilt - this also reminds me of some French types

[Mervyn Mitton]

The pommel

[Mervyn Mitton]

This is the blade engraving. I am reminded of a 'fouled anchor' - but that might just be my imagination ?

[Rayjin]

The "Fouled Anchor" looks more like a flag with what looks like a quiver of arrows crossing it to me. Maybe the design on the flag could give a clue to the maker or owner!! (If it's clear enough)

Edited October 19, 2011 by Rayjin

[Jonathan Hopkins]

Not my area at all, but it looks like a Continental sword from c.1800 give or take.

[Poison Dwarf]

A very similar item was identified on a German sword forum as being from Baden c.1800. I'll PM you a link.

Oh, and I think the anchor-like motif is actually a flag and a fascine, as Rayjin suggested.

Edited November 2, 2011 by Poison Dwarf

[Mervyn Mitton]

Thankyou PD - I shall look up the ref. to the sword - it will be great if we can make an identification. Mervyn

[peter monahan]

The brass work on the hilt, especially with the very visible tang end, certainly looks like Indian standard workmanship but I also agree that the device is a colour crossed with something else. The work looks Indian too - a copy of something perhaps only partly undertood by the craftsman.

I know that John Company had a navy - the Honourable East India Company's Marine, later His Majesty's Indian Navy, so it would make sense that they would have naval swords and it was in existance for 200+ years, so your theory makes a lot of sense! Perhaps some one of our esteemed members can make an authoritative pronouncement on the subject.

Edited November 4, 2011 by peter monahan

[Jonathan Hopkins]

It looks like some Dutch and Danish hilts c.1800. I do not think it has Indian origins.