West African saber?

Iain · 2nd May 2014, 03:46 PM

I would agree that's not a mark but rather just a surface scratch or aberration in the steel.

Jim McDougall · 2nd May 2014, 08:51 PM

I agree on that 'mark' Iain. On the blade, it seems like a simple and 'wedge' type, and as Blue Lander noted, perhaps it may indeed be a briquette. I have seen many with these kinds of blades, and that would probably bring the blade into 19th century....these were around pretty much through the century.

Iain · 2nd May 2014, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I agree on that 'mark' Iain. On the blade, it seems like a simple and 'wedge' type, and as Blue Lander noted, perhaps it may indeed be a briquette. I have seen many with these kinds of blades, and that would probably bring the blade into 19th century....these were around pretty much through the century.

The briquette idea is pretty compelling I think. Some of the Belgian models as I recall have this profile with no ricasso.

blue lander · 2nd May 2014, 11:28 PM

I was oiling the blade up when I noticed the guard felt quite loose. I applied the slightest amount of pressure and the guard separated in two, revealing the base of the blade. It does appear to have a very small ricasso, although I still don't see any identifying marks. I'm going to clean the exposed part of the blade with mineral oil to see if anything pops out before I re attach the top of the guard.

blue lander · 5th May 2014, 08:24 PM

I cleaned up the newly exposed ricasso as best I could, but I don't see any markings. You'd think if it was a mid 19th century or newer blade it would have some sort of inspection stamps on it. Also interesting is that the steel is just as pitted in the part of the blade covered by the guard as it is in the exposed part.

Iain · 5th May 2014, 08:29 PM

I'm not well enough versed in these briquette blades to say if any series were produced without proof marks.

However on the pitting, this isn't a massive surprise, given the relatively recently hilting compared to the likely age of the blade.

blue lander · 5th May 2014, 09:43 PM

I've been looking at pictures of briquets and it seems like every country under the sun made them for 150+ years. Most have inspection marks but some don't. From viewing threads about them on other boards I get the impression there's no way to ID a blade that isn't marked, especially since the original European hilt is missing.

What's odd is that you'd expect a blade from that part of Africa to be French, but French briquet blades seem to always be stamped.

2nd May 2014, 11:28 PM	#4
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	I was oiling the blade up when I noticed the guard felt quite loose. I applied the slightest amount of pressure and the guard separated in two, revealing the base of the blade. It does appear to have a very small ricasso, although I still don't see any identifying marks. I'm going to clean the exposed part of the blade with mineral oil to see if anything pops out before I re attach the top of the guard. Attached Images

5th May 2014, 08:24 PM	#5
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	I cleaned up the newly exposed ricasso as best I could, but I don't see any markings. You'd think if it was a mid 19th century or newer blade it would have some sort of inspection stamps on it. Also interesting is that the steel is just as pitted in the part of the blade covered by the guard as it is in the exposed part. Attached Images

2nd May 2014, 03:46 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	I would agree that's not a mark but rather just a surface scratch or aberration in the steel.

2nd May 2014, 08:51 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	I agree on that 'mark' Iain. On the blade, it seems like a simple and 'wedge' type, and as Blue Lander noted, perhaps it may indeed be a briquette. I have seen many with these kinds of blades, and that would probably bring the blade into 19th century....these were around pretty much through the century.

5th May 2014, 08:29 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	I'm not well enough versed in these briquette blades to say if any series were produced without proof marks. However on the pitting, this isn't a massive surprise, given the relatively recently hilting compared to the likely age of the blade.

5th May 2014, 09:43 PM	#7
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	I've been looking at pictures of briquets and it seems like every country under the sun made them for 150+ years. Most have inspection marks but some don't. From viewing threads about them on other boards I get the impression there's no way to ID a blade that isn't marked, especially since the original European hilt is missing. What's odd is that you'd expect a blade from that part of Africa to be French, but French briquet blades seem to always be stamped.