Sword Maker Help

[johnwr1]

Does anyone know this sword maker mark? I'm having trouble finding any info.

Thanks

 

[Glen_C]

Interesting, with the sharkskin remnants poking out. Can you share some pictures of the entire sword? Is there anything along the line of a mark on the other side of the blade?

 

[johnwr1]

THere are some more. Nothing on the opposite side

 

[UCVRelics]

Nice sword. It was made by Schnitzler and Kirschbaum (S&K) of Germany. AKA S&K

 

[FarawayFriend]

I love this detective work, but I should have read the thread before I set out to find out ... @ucvrelics.com of course has beaten me at it.

But as I have found this, I will now post it:

From:
The American Sword 1775-1945
by Harold L. Peterson
https://books.google.de/books?id=SSfEAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA265&ots=QJRyHuXVtN&dq=schnitzler und kirschbaum sword&hl=de&pg=PA265#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[UCVRelics]

S&K was in business from 1822 till the end of the CW and there is some speculation that the 2 split in late 1864. S&K had several different markings over the year and your is a variant that is NOT normally seen on the 1850 officers sword. I will dig a little deeper when I get home and into my books. here a few other of their marks. Look real close on the other side for a Soligen stamp and look on the blade spine, the scabbard drag for any other markings.

 

[mofederal]

I like this 1850 Foot Officer's Sword. It looks to be in great shape, despite missing the Sharkskin. It must have been a beautiful sword when new.

 

[UCVRelics]

I like this 1850 Foot Officer's Sword. It looks to be in great shape, despite missing the Sharkskin. It must have been a beautiful sword when new.

They were indeed a beautiful sword when new. The only one that was nicer then these is the ones with the C in front of the S.

 

[James N.]

S&K was in business from 1822 till the end of the CW and there is some speculation that the 2 split in late 1864. S&K had several different markings over the year and your is a variant that is NOT normally seen on the 1850 officers sword. I will dig a little deeper when I get home and into my books. here a few other of their marks. Look real close on the other side for a Soligen stamp and look on the blade spine, the scabbard drag for any other markings.
View attachment 153837 View attachment 153838

Here's the same S&K mark on a M. 1850 Staff & Field Officer's sword in my collection:

My S&K at left below is quite similar to the one in the OP including the small-size letters US in the hilt:

Unfortunately when I got it it was missing its scabbard and I have since had the grip incorrectly re-wrapped with leather since shagreen (sharkskin or ray) was unavailable; the knot is a more recent USN knot.

 

[WJC]

I love this detective work, but I should have read the thread before I set out to find out ... @ucvrelics.com of course has beaten me at it.

But as I have found this, I will now post it:
View attachment 153831

From:
The American Sword 1775-1945
by Harold L. Peterson
https://books.google.de/books?id=SSfEAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA265&ots=QJRyHuXVtN&dq=schnitzler und kirschbaum sword&hl=de&pg=PA265#v=onepage&q&f=false

Thanks for the information, @FarawayFriend
The referenced article says S & K "supplied blades for swords...." Do you or does anyone else here know whether that means they sold blades which American manufacturers then finished into weapons?

 

[FarawayFriend]

Thanks for the information, @FarawayFriend
The referenced article says S & K "supplied blades for swords...." Do you or does anyone else here know whether that means they sold blades which American manufacturers then finished into weapons?

Yes, I would say so. That was what I thought interesting, that's why I snipped the article.

 

[UCVRelics]

Do you or does anyone else here know whether that means they sold blades which American manufacturers then finished into weapons?

There were several different companies that imported S&K blades to make the own quote unquote swords. Horstmann was a major one but they would always etch their info on the blade such as the one below.

 

[WJC]

Yes, I would say so. That was what I thought interesting, that's why I snipped the article.

Thanks for your response.
I wasn't at all certain i was interpreting the passage correctly....

 

[WJC]

There were several different companies that imported S&K blades to make the own quote unquote swords. Horstmann was a major one but they would always etch their info on the blade such as the one below.
View attachment 153887

Thanks for your response and confirmation of my interpretation.
More curiousity: was there any specific reason for the importation of blades and not finished swords? Desire to customize to American expectations? Import duties?