Mervyn Mitton Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 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 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 The hilt - this also reminds me of some French types Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 The pommel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 This is the blade engraving. I am reminded of a 'fouled anchor' - but that might just be my imagination ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjin Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Hopkins Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Not my area at all, but it looks like a Continental sword from c.1800 give or take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poison Dwarf Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Thankyou PD - I shall look up the ref. to the sword - it will be great if we can make an identification. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Hopkins Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 It looks like some Dutch and Danish hilts c.1800. I do not think it has Indian origins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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