Tell me more! Small Artillery sword

[Papabyrd]

Do any of you have any info on these small artillery swords. they are about 2/3 the size of a regular size sword. I have seen several of them over the years.
but can't find any info on them . Thanks

 

[UCVRelics]

The top one is a French Infantry sword. The bottom one looks to be a model 1832 us artillery sword.

 

[R. Porter]

I believe the one with the two long parallel fullers down the blade is a French model 1855 infantry sword.

 

[Papabyrd]

Thanks guys so I assume the French sword was not used in our civil war right?

 

[R. Porter]

The sword with the three fullers on each side of the blade appears to be a French model 1816 artillery sword from which the U.S. artillery short sword was taken. Below are two examples:

The first example is not clearly marked. Usually the blade will have the name of the maker, the date and inspection stamps just below the hilt. It does have what appear to be illegible inspection marks on the underside of the guard.

The second example does have visible French inspection marks on the blade partially covered by the hilt. Both examples have marks on the underside of the guard; one has dots while the other has v's and dots.

The last two images are of just a blade. The first side essentially says manufactured in Klingenthal. This would appear on the spine of a back sword, but this blade has two edges and no back. Notice the number 13 that is stylistically similar to the number on your blade. The second image shows what might be inspection stamps and a date of manufacture that is 183-something. Maybe 1837?

Both of your swords could have been in America in time to take part in the Civil War, but there is no compelling evidence that places them here. Until that happens, serious collectors will dismiss them as Civil War swords. Even if it is found that these swords were used by either side there may never be a way to prove a particular sword was among those used.

 

[thomas aagaard]

They french started to use them in 1816 as I understand it.
Then a number of the German states copied it in different variants in the 1840ties

This is one of thousands is one of 20.000+ produced for the Sleswig-Holstein rebels in 1848.
Note that it is single edged.
After the war ended in 1851 they where all stored in the main fortress in Holstein, but the Danish army logically decided to move them to Copenhagen.

In 1853 the army did complete inventory of all bladed weapons and sort of started from scratch.
The about 20.000 with leather scabbards where refurbished and then Issued to the 22 infantry battalions in the army.
This was done in 1854 so its called a "Sidearm model 1854"
The older infantry sabers that had been used where designated to the reserves.

This change makes sense. The sidearm was by the 1850ties expressly issued as a tool, not a weapon, and this weapon is a much better tool than a actual infantry saber.
for use cutting your way true thick hedges, for wood for fires, for roofs of huts, and for making fascines for field fortifications.

In the US we know it as the 1832 heavy artillery sword.
And similar it is more a tool that can be used for personal defense if needed, than a weapon that can be used as a tool.

 

[Papabyrd]

Thank you, gentleman, for the great information.