Additional Sword

[SEHatfield]

Ok all. I looked at another sword. (I haven't purchased it.) It appears to me to be an M1860 light sabre. It has the round back, the slight hump in the grip, the slimmer blade, etc.. I am posting pics primarily of the markings on it as they seem a bit odd from what I've seen. I realize that the pic of the entire sword is not the greatest, but I'm not as concerned about the blade at this point. It has been sharpened. There is no scabbard. The asking price at this point is $395 but they are willing to go down some. Has anyone seen marks on a guard like this?? There's like a 62A00 over a reverse C and one 0 is over what looks like an I then a 10A24. ??I think the pommel has an s and a JM or IM... View attachment 163693

 

[James N.]

I've seen things like this before and think the numerical markings are in the nature of rack numbers used to identify individual arms in the same way as serial numbers. (Which of course swords don't have.) This looks like a good piece, but these shouldn'tve been sharpened in their service life, and that would certainly be a distraction if not an outright "killer" for me. I don't think the combination of sharpening and NO scabbard puts this in the $400 category - more like half that!

 

[originalrebelyell]

I agree the sharpened blade and no scabbard would kill the deal for me. I would keep my money in my pocket and keep looking.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The sharpened blade doesn't bother me near as much as the re-peened tang! From what I think I see in your photo, the pommel cap appears to have been removed and the entire sword disassembled. I say this because of what looks like a flat around the peened tang. This would be the result of someone having ground down the tang and hence the brass pommel cap with it. This is done to either replace the blade, or draw out the tang re-peen it in order to tighten up the whole assembly. It seems to have been done rather recently because the hammer marks on the tang are still bright. I am of the opinion that this particular sword, with the work that has been done and no blade markings, has little to no collector value and is much over priced. Just my personal thoughts and opinions.
J.

 

[mofederal]

I am no expert, but I thought that the blade had been removed, and it had been repeened. The bright steel gave it away to me. I actually like the WWII Cattaraugus 225Q fighting knife and near mint scabbard myself, but I collect WWII.

 

[UCVRelics]

I have to agree with all of the above. The lack of a makers mark, guard being removed and sharpened

 

[originalrebelyell]

The sharpened blade doesn't bother me near as much as the re-peened tang! From what I think I see in your photo, the pommel cap appears to have been removed and the entire sword disassembled. I say this because of what looks like a flat around the peened tang. This would be the result of someone having ground down the tang and hence the brass pommel cap with it. This is done to either replace the blade, or draw out the tang re-peen it in order to tighten up the whole assembly. It seems to have been done rather recently because the hammer marks on the tang are still bright. I am of the opinion that this particular sword, with the work that has been done and no blade markings, has little to no collector value and is much over priced. Just my personal thoughts and opinions. I agree the tang and pommel cap look like they have been messed with. It is priced too much for the probs it has.

 

[SEHatfield]

Are there books other than Thilmans that are good resources for information about CW swords?

 

[UCVRelics]

Below are a few links that will help you out.

http://www.angelfire.com/wa/swordcollector/marks/page2.html (anglefire site little jiggy)
http://www.relicman.com/weapons/Weapon5000.html great info

 

[Glen_C]

Sharpened swords during the war can be a lively debate. How it was sharpened (to me) can often be more important than when it was sharpened. I would list saying no swords were sharpened during the ACW would be kind of foolish, as there are period references.

If the blade has been dismounted with the pommel ground down, it was done some time ago, no? The smushed tangs occur when folk are intent on removing the space left when the washer deteriorates I have seen it a bazillion times on swords.

As flat as market prices have been for the dregs, it's about high street price. It does have most of its grip leather and wire. Some Pecards on the leather and some cleaning would make for an ok decorator. The guard is not deformed.

Cheers
GC

JM on the pommel would presumably be on an Emerson&Silver sword from 1965.....but

 

[SEHatfield]

Sharpened swords during the war can be a lively debate. How it was sharpened (to me) can often be more important than when it was sharpened. I would list saying no swords were sharpened during the ACW would be kind of foolish, as there are period references.

If the blade has been dismounted with the pommel ground down, it was done some time ago, no? The smushed tangs occur when folk are intent on removing the space left when the washer deteriorates I have seen it a bazillion times on swords.

As flat as market prices have been for the dregs, it's about high street price. It does have most of its grip leather and wire. Some Pecards on the leather and some cleaning would make for an ok decorator. The guard is not deformed.

Cheers
GC

Glen C it wasn't what I call "real" sharp, but it had been sharpened. Not sure how it was sharpened. The shop said they were willing to come down on the price from $395 but not sure how much. With all of the info provided above I've passed on it.
S

 

[SEHatfield]

Just repeating a previous comment.

Are there any recommendations for edged weapon books other than Thilman that describe swords?

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

There is still the so-called "old testament", Harold Peterson's " The American Sword 1775 - 1945". It has been a standard reference on American swords for years. It's a bit dated, but still contains a ton of useful info, and it is not all that expensive. Amazon, B&N, and other book sellers have it in both hard copy and e-book format. I fine the Amazon eBook version particularly useful since it allows quick digital searches. (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...ield-keywords=harold+peterson+american+swords ).

 

[SEHatfield]

Thanks Richard

 

[SEHatfield]

Below are a few links that will help you out.

http://www.angelfire.com/wa/swordcollector/marks/page2.html (anglefire site little jiggy)
http://www.relicman.com/weapons/Weapon5000.html great info

Thanks Richard.