Unidentified sword - please help

[James D.N.MacKenzie]

Afternoon Gents, I recently bought this sword and have not been able to identify it yet.  The elderly gent I bought it from, when I told him it looked early German to me, told me that makes sense as his family moved to South Africa from Germany many years ago and the sword has been in his family for as long as he can remember.

There are no markings on the blade, none at all.

I have not been able to identify the emblems on the hilt, can't find this exact sword in any of my sword books.

Please help.

James MacKenzie

 

 

[Stuka f]

Looks like the buggle is added later on.

It makes me think it could be...firemen....!?

[Brian Wolfe]

Hi James,

 

A search of my books on European swords also turned up nothing concrete.  It certainly has the overall look of being German and the shape of the sword and bugle  makes me think cavalry, however the trophy of arms symbol looks a little French in design.  I wonder if this was a sword made for export to other countries rather than for use by the home nation's military.  I hope others will be of more help, that wouldn't take much as I have not been able to shed much light in the identification.

Nice sword regardless.

Regards

Brian

 

[James D.N.MacKenzie]

Hi Brian, thanks for that. 

I also thought cavalry when I saw the shape of the blade and the bugle.  As Stuka f says, it looks like the bugle has been added.

Real little puzzle.

Cheers

James

 

Stuka F, I see you collect Congo items.  I have researched and collected Congo Mercenary items for around 45 years now, ever since meeting a friend of my father, Johnny Hoy, who was Mike Hoare's driver in the Congo, with 5 Commando, until he was wounded and sent home.

[Brian Wolfe]

I suppose it could be a fireman's sword, however, most firefighter's bugles are actually magaphones and lack the "handle" which would denote a bugle. I think it may indeed have been an add-on but this may have been siver plate or other shinny metal option and therefore necessitiated a separate attachment.  Just an opinion with no backup proof of course.

Regards

Brian

 

[Stuka f]

1 hour ago, James D.N.MacKenzie said:

Stuka F, I see you collect Congo items.  I have researched and collected Congo Mercenary items for around 45 years now, ever since meeting a friend of my father, Johnny Hoy, who was Mike Hoare's driver in the Congo, with 5 Commando, until he was wounded and sent home.

Must have been quiet a experience meeting Johnny Hoy!

The closest I ever got to Congo mercenary's was the brother of Jean Schramme.

[James D.N.MacKenzie]

I have been fortunate to have met quite a few of the ex-5 Commando soldiers up to now.

What period Congo items do you collect?

Cheers

James

 

 

[Stuka f]

I prefere the Congo free state (1885/1908) periode, but I have stuff up to 1960.

cheers

|<ris

[bolewts58]

23 hours ago, James D.N.MacKenzie said:

Afternoon Gents, I recently bought this sword and have not been able to identify it yet.  The elderly gent I bought it from, when I told him it looked early German to me, told me that makes sense as his family moved to South Africa from Germany many years ago and the sword has been in his family for as long as he can remember.

There are no markings on the blade, none at all.

I have not been able to identify the emblems on the hilt, can't find this exact sword in any of my sword books.

Please help.

James MacKenzie

 

 

Check out German export swords used in South American countries.

[James D.N.MacKenzie]

Many thanks, James