Help identifying sword makers mark...

[bochavista]

Good Morning,
I was checking to see if anyone is familiar with this maker mark. Almost looks like an F and H to me, maybe Frederick Horster, but i can't find any of his marks like this. Thanks for your time and have a great day!

 

[Schwallanscher]

no way an F it's an L or (maybe) just an ornamented H

same (or quite similar) letters were used for the so called hitler diaries - the forger (konrad kujau) used an F for an A

yep - just an H

 

[bochavista]

I just found this. Thanks, wasn't thinking Horstmann because I thought there was more than one letter.

 

[Glen_C]

There is some debate but the general discussion points to the mark belonging to Horstmann.

A companion and somewhat informative discussion.

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/sh...ff-and-Line-Officers-sword-or-Staff-and-Field


Cheers

GC

 

[bochavista]

Thank you Glen. here is a picture of the whole thing. Anyone have comments on dating the sword?

 

[bochavista]

Another picture...

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

I just found this. Thanks, wasn't thinking Horstmann because I thought there was more than one letter.

View attachment 110619

= Could you post the link to this page? Looks interesting and I can't seem to find it.

- As others have already said, this is definitely a mark used on post-CW Horstmann swords. One theory holds is that when post-war tariffs made Solingen blades too expensive, Horstmann found a domestic company to produce blades for them, and this is that unknown company's mark. I have always suspected that the old English "H" probably was for "Horstmann" and that these were in-house produced blades. The question is, why did Horstmann feel the need to place such a mark on the blade when they were already stamping or etching the blades with their name? Another theory is that this is a export mark of the Weyersburg firm or the successor company WKC. I question, however, why they would use this "H" instead of their other established logos.

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Thank you Glen. here is a picture of the whole thing. Anyone have comments on dating the sword?
View attachment 110626

The three carrying rings and the nickle plating on the scabbard would indicate a post-1868, probably post-1872 date for this sword. Could you post a picture of the maker's markings and perhaps some of the blade etching? That could help with the dating. Also, is there a rear counterguard? Doesn't look like it, but can't be quite sure from the photos.

 

[bochavista]

No rear counterguard.

 

[bochavista]