George N. M. Posted January 27 About 35-40 years ago I came across a guy who had imported a number of swords from Sudan. I bought this one (IIRC I paid about $100). It originally had a typical Sudanese wooden, leather wrapped hilt with a leather disk pommel. I wanted a more European looking sword and removed the Sudanese hilt, drew out the tang a bit and added a disk pommel with the tang riveted on the top of the pommel . Today I would have left it original but I was younger and had different values and priorities. I have always suspected that it is a European blade which was exported to Africa. This is because of the double headed eagle engraved on both sides of the blade. I seriously doubt that a Sudanese craftsman would have used infidel imagery, particularly the Christian cross on the single crown above the eagle. The double headed eagle has been used by various European countries and houses including the Byzantines, the Hapsburg Austrians, and the Russian Romanovs amongst others. The blade is 34" long and the cross guard (I guess Sudanese origin) is 6 1/4". The fuller runs the entire length of the blade. It appears that the eagle has been on the blade for a long time because the engraving is worn off the high parts of the blade on the edge of the fuller. It would take a lot of drawing in an out of a scabbard to wear the steel down. Does anyone have any thoughts on the origin or age of this blade? "By hammer and hand all arts do stand" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThomasPowers Posted January 28 Austrian Cuirassier broadsword possibly? "the blade is straight, 92 cm long, two edged, channelled on both sides (fullered), The Austrian eagle with a crown is engraved" "Cut and Thrust Weapons" Eduard Wagner Several examples with slightly differing lengths and variations on the engraving in addition to the crowned eagle (one was 4 cm wide) May be 18th century (1700's !) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
