Sword ID Requested

[BryanJ]

This afternoon I was in a local antique shop and the owner mentioned he had a probable CW sword. As he was showing the sword, the elderly sword owner came into the shop and joined the conversation. The owner said he acquired the sword 30+ years ago from the Central Florida family that had the sword passed down through the generations since the war. He said he originally thought the sword may have been Confederate, but the shop owner thought it was Union since it had "4 MA" stamped on the guard, especially since the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment fought in the 1864, North Florida, Battle Olustee. I know nothing about CW militaria, but told the owners I'd post photos here. All opinions welcome, thoughts? I apologize for the poor quality of my cell phone photos.

 

[RedRover]

It looks like a European "Briquet" or infantryman's sword of the 19th Century. As used by the French, Belgians, etc.

 

[JackADriscoll]

I love those little swords but I sincerely doubt it's civil war and the 4 ma is definitely not 4th mass. How much?

 

[BryanJ]

The owner wanted $400.

 

[JackADriscoll]

The owner wanted $400.

No sir . I'm a buyer at 100

 

[JackADriscoll]

The owner wanted $400.

The one thing that is cool about it is original scabbards aren't seen often with them but still big negative at that price

 

[R. Porter]

This appears to be an Italian model 1834 Carabinieri sword (a national police, I believe, like the Guardia Civil in Spain). The Italians used this sword until about 1981. A google search suggests the MA stands for Manifattura Armi (Arms Manufacturing) workshop in Turin, Italy. The stamp on the blade does not look old, I would say no older than mid 19th century and probably closer to mid 20th century. I suspect that a number of these were brought back from Italy after WW2 by American GI's, and most were 20th century pieces. I wouldn't pay much for one. In fact, I wouldn't pay $100.00 for one unless there was something extra special about it (mainly because I already have a bunch of swords like that from 1804 to more modern times.) However, if you want a sword to open champagne bottles with that looks old and that you don't mind damaging by accident if a tipsy friend tries to play Zorro...

(I know, it's the wrong kind of sword for Zorro, but remember, your friend is tipsy and probably doesn't even know or care what kind of sword Zorro carries.)

My disclaimer: I'm not an expert so you might want to google some of the terms I've mentioned and do your own research. I do know that Zorro would use a rapier, however, the foot soldiers might have dealt with may have carried a similar sword to the one in the op.

 

[Trooper "D"]

This afternoon I was in a local antique shop and the owner mentioned he had a probable CW sword. As he was showing the sword, the elderly sword owner came into the shop and joined the conversation. The owner said he acquired the sword 30+ years ago from the Central Florida family that had the sword passed down through the generations since the war. He said he originally thought the sword may have been Confederate, but the shop owner thought it was Union since it had "4 MA" stamped on the guard, especially since the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment fought in the 1864, North Florida, Battle Olustee. I know nothing about CW militaria, but told the owners I'd post photos here. All opinions welcome, thoughts? I apologize for the poor quality of my cell phone photos.

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It's a hanger. Like French, British and any number of armies issued to Infantry. I like how the sign reads that has sword is the real thing and not one of those fakes out there. $450.00? No way. Nice try. How about $75.00 or even $50.00. Unless those markings mean something real "neato", which I am not hopeful, it's a cool little sword that would be cool to have but not at $450.00.
I at first thought it was one those swords that seemed to be everywhere in the '70s and '80s. Kind of similar but has "TOLEDO" stamped on the blade. They disappeared in the late '80s I think.
Cheers!

 

[bayonet]

Sorry for seeing this late but that is NOT "the real thing" and never saw ACW use! Maybe saw use in the Mexican Army 150 years ago. Where is that Dealers shop in Florida so I can stop by and have a good laugh? $450 now that's funny