Blade condition? Battle used?

[desertf150]

Hey guys. I ended up purchasing that 1863 Mansfield and Lamb 1860 I posted about on here the other day. The blade is in pretty rough condition and I'm wondering what could possibly cause damage like this. Could it be from battle? Could someone's kids have just beaten rocks with it outside the cabin ? Also the tip is pretty blunt. I only paid $450 + $25 to ship, so I still feel like I did fairly well. I know its probably hard to know for SURE, but any insight you have on what would have caused the damage would be appreciated. Thank you

 

[RedRover]

Kids playing "swords" with it.

 

[UCVRelics]

CW cavalry battles were not word fights. I have to agree with @RedRover, little heathens be heathens. I did the same thing

 

[OldSarge79]

I agree. I would rate the rounded tip to the sandpaper effect of plunging the sword into the ground and cutting tree branches away as the little tyke decimates the enemy.

My weapon of choice as a child was my father's British Pattern 1907 bayonet, a fairly long bladed piece. I can't begin to estimate how many times I threw it into the ground, as well as a palm bush, which one day I did so much damage to that I was afraid dad would see it.
Today, the tip of the blade is worn and still shiny from my childhood escapades. Honestly, it has so much sentimental value to me that I wouldn't sell it for anything.

 

[bayonet]

2 or 3 nicks maybe "battle damage" but that looks like it trimmed many trees or 2 rugrats going at it in Grandpas basement while he's upstairs napping. My 2 Daughters didn't play with my swords up on the wall but they did play swashbucklers with 2 bamboo sticks. Broke the glass light cover on the ceiling fan. Wrote me an apology note when I got home from work bless their hearts! Off to Home Depot and replaced it with a plastic covering in case they play Samurai again!

 

[R. Porter]

I have a few edged weapons with blades like this one; some seem to be way worse. My feeling was that it could be child's play, but it may also have had a second career in the theater. On stage it might have been purposefully slamed into another blade by an adult trying to make sounds to really sell their performance. That would have resulted in a number of deep cuts in the blade and if they took the show on the road the sword may have had to endure months of such treatment.

I remember when I was learning to fence many years ago, if you were sloppy and slid you blade against your opponent's instead of hitting it with a crisp short thack you could cause sparks to fly. I suppose it was similar to a flint and steel approach to fire-starting. Good special effects for a play. Maybe your sword did Shakespeare or light opera after its military service.