Need help with the markings on this Swashbuckling Cutlass / Sabre?

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Dana,
Check out the terms Dussack and Sinclair sabre. Apologies for not expanding on that but I'm just on my way out.
Regards,
Norman.

Thanks Norman McCormick! I am opening a Google search now.

[dana_w]

Now that I know the right term (thanks again Norman McCormick), there is a lot of good information on Dussack / Sinclair Sabres here in the forums. Here are a few links:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bre#post182682

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bre#post115187

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bre#post115165

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...abre#post59256

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...abre#post57546

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...abre#post40564

I'll add a few additional photos too.

These photos are copyright (c) 2015 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved

[M ELEY]

Hello, Dana. Per our PM, just wanted to say again what a magnificent sword you have! Perusing some of the attached pics from the other dussack threads, you might note the style has more of an open unattached guard. Again, per our conversation, it is interesting to note that in Exquamillon's buccaneer/ pirate volume, both Jean David Nau (l'Olonnais) and Roc the Brazilian are pictured with similar clipped point Sinclair-types. Although possibly done for artistic license, I don't think it is too whimsical that such a sword would have been unpopular with pirates or naval men. As a sort of precursor to later cutlass types, it offered good coverage for the hand. The Gathenheim's (husband and wife privateers that formed a flotilla of Swedish pirates to protect that coast) certainly might have used such swords. Yes, I know I'm dragging the pirate theme in again, but you might note that many naval museums have thrown in Sinclairs as naval swords despite no absolute provenance of such...

www.cindyvallar.com/lollonais.html

http://www.golden-age-of-piracy.com/...brasiliano.php

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Hello, Dana. Per our PM, just wanted to say again what a magnificent sword you have! Perusing some of the attached pics from the other dussack threads, you might note the style has more of an open unattached guard. Again, per our conversation, it is interesting to note that in Exquamillon's buccaneer/ pirate volume, both Jean David Nau (l'Olonnais) and Roc the Brazilian are pictured with similar clipped point Sinclair-types. Although possibly done for artistic license, I don't think it is too whimsical that such a sword would have been unpopular with pirates or naval men. As a sort of precursor to later cutlass types, it offered good coverage for the hand. The Gathenheim's (husband and wife privateers that formed a flotilla of Swedish pirates to protect that coast) certainly might have used such swords. Yes, I know I'm dragging the pirate theme in again, but you might note that many naval museums have thrown in Sinclairs as naval swords despite no absolute provenance of such...

www.cindyvallar.com/lollonais.html

http://www.golden-age-of-piracy.com/...brasiliano.php

Thanks Captain Mark. Your information was very helpful. I was able to find a good online copy of Alexandre Exquemelin and see the illustrations you were talking about.

“The Buccaneers of America” is a remarkable eyewitness account by Alexander Exquemelin, first published in 1678.

http://www.loc.gov/…/ex…/interactive...rs-of-america/

https://books.google.com/books…

Maybe someday someone will see the photos above and decode the inscription on the blade, but I won't hold my breath.

[Jim McDougall]

Dana,
The stamped devices seen in your blade correspond to various Italian origin marks most notably those known as 'twig' marks (the central figure is indeterminate), which were used in numerous configurations. While obviously this would suggest such origin for this blade, it seems doubtful as Solingen was typically the source for most of these. I believe it is quite possible that this may be a Styrian blade as they often copied Italian marks in these times. I need to check further into Boccia & Coelho to see if perhaps the original marks are there,.

As Cap/n Mark has noted, these stout heavy bladed sabres were often favored in maritime context for the excellent hand protection and heavy shorter blades ideal for close quarters/ melee engagement. I would note here that these so called 'Sinclair' sabres ( more accurately dusagge) were also long believed to have been highly influential to Highland basket hilts.
While that specific claim is somewhat disputed, it is notable that these distinctive 'heart' devices in the hilt also occur regularly in pierced designs in Highland basket hilts. It seems quite possible that this association might secure certain associations between these and the same design seen in those basket hilts.

[ulfberth]

Hello Dana, my compliments on this untouched sword !
As Jim said, the blade could be Solingen or Styrian, these swords were well used all over Europe from Italy to Denmark in the 16th and 17th century and maybe even as Pirate swords.
After all they are very useful for close range sword fighting, although their balance lends more to slashing and cutting they can be uses for stabbing as well.
The picture is from the castle in Coburg Germany, in the front you can see swords with the same rectangle pommel on different hilts, basket hilts and simpler hilts, in the back left side, there are several one's like yours with a sail guard hilt and rectangle pommel,one even has the heart shape in it.
These swords were well spread in use and over an extensive period by farmers, citizens, soldiers etc.

Kind regards
Ulfberth

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Dana,
The stamped devices seen in your blade correspond to various Italian origin marks most notably those known as 'twig' marks (the central figure is indeterminate), which were used in numerous configurations. While obviously this would suggest such origin for this blade, it seems doubtful as Solingen was typically the source for most of these. I believe it is quite possible that this may be a Styrian blade as they often copied Italian marks in these times. I need to check further into Boccia & Coelho to see if perhaps the original marks are there,.

As Cap/n Mark has noted, these stout heavy bladed sabres were often favored in maritime context for the excellent hand protection and heavy shorter blades ideal for close quarters/ melee engagement. I would note here that these so called 'Sinclair' sabres ( more accurately dusagge) were also long believed to have been highly influential to Highland basket hilts.
While that specific claim is somewhat disputed, it is notable that these distinctive 'heart' devices in the hilt also occur regularly in pierced designs in Highland basket hilts. It seems quite possible that this association might secure certain associations between these and the same design seen in those basket hilts.

Thanks Jim! You are always such a wealth of information. Now I just need to do a search for 'twig' marks and find some examples. You've mentioned Solingen before and I will revisit those discussions while making a new search for "Styrian" and "Boccia & Coelho".

Maybe you could answer a question, why is this a sabres rather than a cutlass? Is the blade to short or narrow? Is it now curved enough?

***

Originally Posted by ulfberth

Hello Dana, my compliments on this untouched sword !
As Jim said, the blade could be Solingen or Styrian, these swords were well used all over Europe from Italy to Denmark in the 16th and 17th century and maybe even as Pirate swords.
After all they are very useful for close range sword fighting, although their balance lends more to slashing and cutting they can be uses for stabbing as well.
The picture is from the castle in Coburg Germany, in the front you can see swords with the same rectangle pommel on different hilts, basket hilts and simpler hilts, in the back left side, there are several one's like yours with a sail guard hilt and rectangle pommel,one even has the heart shape in it.
These swords were well spread in use and over an extensive period by farmers, citizens, soldiers etc.

Kind regards
Ulfberth

Thanks for the kind words and comments and Ulfberth. And especially for sharing the photo.