Sword Identification

U

urdahl93

Joined
Jul 19, 2011
Messages
2
Hey all,

I am trying to figure out where this sword I found came from. We found it in the walls of a house we moved into when I was a kid and it's just been sitting around the house forever.

Not the greatest of images. I could provide more if people think there is something worthwhile. I don't really see any markings.

sword.jpg
 
I looked it over a little more and there is a little V with a * under it on the handle and an "I" on the blade.
 
Silverthorn said:
Looks like a heavy cavalry sabre, Civil war maybe ?
Click to expand...

Nope. Infantry. French. It's a pattern that was common during the Napoleonic period on, called a briquet. If you look down the spine of the sword there may be writing in French, though this is not always the case.

It's possible that it's American Civil War on account of how the South used a lot of imported European pieces, but I'm less able to judge that and defer to those with greater experience in that area.
 
A briquet is the specific sword in question, which is a typological subset of infantry hangers. :)
 
These were used into the early 20th century. This one looks that late and possibly Spanish (broad stopped fuller? and lack of French poincons/marks). The hilt itself is different from the French types that go back to the 18th century. It could also be Russian, actually any number of countries as its origins.

The found it in the walls story can help as well (type of construction and more particulars) but a lot more information can be found by comparing sources and types.

These have been reproduced as well.

Cheers

GC
 
One of my favorite forms of infantry swords--simple, but elegant and effective.
 
Hmmm neither of those seems quite right either. The "nipple" on the quillion looks to be a little less pronounced on his example, and there's a pin running through the hilt. :confused:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Hmmm neither of those seems quite right either. The "nipple" on the quillion looks to be a little less pronounced on his example, and there's a pin running through the hilt. :confused:
Click to expand...

I think that's where the "any number of countries" part comes in. I'm sure there would be variation from country to country or even production run to production run. Or alternately this one could possibly be a reproduction as well.
 
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