A saber of unknown origin and age

Bryce · 30th September 2021, 09:46 PM

G'day Guys,
Definitely not British. My vote is European, possibly Swedish.
Cheers,
Bryce

Jim McDougall · 30th September 2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryce

G'day Guys,
Definitely not British. My vote is European, possibly Swedish.
Cheers,
Bryce

Quite likely Bryce! All of these countries cross diffused influences as well as often imported weapons. I always forget how close all these European countries are, here in Texas you drive days to leave the state.

awdaniec666 · 6th October 2021, 12:22 PM

The sword has arrived today.
The mark is very small, no wonder pictures with common lenses fail at displaying the stamp correctly. I attach one image of my saber (better quality wasnt possible) and few of other sabers with the same mark.

It says "Morell & Co.". I have found several sabers from past auctions with that stamp and similar pipe-back blades, mostly coming from Sweden. Even one with a very similar lionhead. My quick search has not brought more informations about that maker.
Despite its look, the leather scabbard seems to be actually made for the saber. Its not too long. The only thing that doesnt match is the opening which is a bit wider than it should be for that saber in my opinion.
The hilt was abviously gilded.

Measurements in cm:
Blade lenght: 78
Curvature: 2
Broadenessat at hilt: 2, mid: 1,5, feather/yelmen max: 1,8
Hilt lenght: 11,5
Scabbard lenght: 82,5

What wonders me is the complete lack of sharpening! Even the point is not "pointy". Can it be the blade has been made, mounted on the hilt and left for sharpening elsewhere which has not been made ultimately?
Were parade sabers sharp?
It has few chips here and there but that could have been kids playing with it.

fernando · 6th October 2021, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awdaniec666

... My quick search has not brought more informations about that maker, except for a "John Morell & Co. - since 1827" on an antique folding knife...

Mind you Patrick, that folding knife is a marketing gift from the meat processor John Morrel ... not Morell; has nothing to do with your sword.

Quote:

Originally Posted by awdaniec666

... has few chips here and there but that could have been kids playing with it.

I appreciate such honest and realistic assumption; in general, folks like to think that chips are signs of battle; maybe one in a thousand, i would guess

.. I recall, when in my youth, helping to vandalize a friend's grandfather military sabre.

awdaniec666 · 6th October 2021, 01:19 PM

Thank you Fernando. Did you hear about blunt sabers and can tell me something about this?
Keeping in mind my sabers size, the gilding and the still (for children) dangerous point I wouldnt think that this is something for a child. Was there a different view on safety back then?

fernando · 6th October 2021, 01:27 PM

I wouldn't think the explanation for this blade being blunt is due to it being a child sword; the reason must reside elsewhere. Some of our members could help to clarify this.

Victrix · 6th October 2021, 04:15 PM

I have a pallasch from an ancestor who was an officer in the Kungliga Norrlands Dragoner in early 20thC which is unsharpened. I believe the reason for this is that the swords were only sharpened for war, and Sweden was luckily not involved in wars since the days of Napoleon. Had Sweden been involved in war and my ancestor called into the field for war service, then I believe the sword would have been sharpened. There are 19th Swedish swords marked Morell & Co. I think they may have been cutlers?

6th October 2021, 12:22 PM	#3
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Central Europe Posts: 174	The sword has arrived today. The mark is very small, no wonder pictures with common lenses fail at displaying the stamp correctly. I attach one image of my saber (better quality wasnt possible) and few of other sabers with the same mark. It says "Morell & Co.". I have found several sabers from past auctions with that stamp and similar pipe-back blades, mostly coming from Sweden. Even one with a very similar lionhead. My quick search has not brought more informations about that maker. Despite its look, the leather scabbard seems to be actually made for the saber. Its not too long. The only thing that doesnt match is the opening which is a bit wider than it should be for that saber in my opinion. The hilt was abviously gilded. Measurements in cm: Blade lenght: 78 Curvature: 2 Broadenessat at hilt: 2, mid: 1,5, feather/yelmen max: 1,8 Hilt lenght: 11,5 Scabbard lenght: 82,5 What wonders me is the complete lack of sharpening! Even the point is not "pointy". Can it be the blade has been made, mounted on the hilt and left for sharpening elsewhere which has not been made ultimately? Were parade sabers sharp? It has few chips here and there but that could have been kids playing with it. Attached Images Last edited by awdaniec666; 6th October 2021 at 03:07 PM. Reason: removed useless folding knife image

30th September 2021, 09:46 PM	#1
Bryce Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Queensland, Australia Posts: 189	G'day Guys, Definitely not British. My vote is European, possibly Swedish. Cheers, Bryce

6th October 2021, 01:19 PM	#5
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Central Europe Posts: 174	Thank you Fernando. Did you hear about blunt sabers and can tell me something about this? Keeping in mind my sabers size, the gilding and the still (for children) dangerous point I wouldnt think that this is something for a child. Was there a different view on safety back then?

6th October 2021, 01:27 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I wouldn't think the explanation for this blade being blunt is due to it being a child sword; the reason must reside elsewhere. Some of our members could help to clarify this.

6th October 2021, 04:15 PM	#7
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	I have a pallasch from an ancestor who was an officer in the Kungliga Norrlands Dragoner in early 20thC which is unsharpened. I believe the reason for this is that the swords were only sharpened for war, and Sweden was luckily not involved in wars since the days of Napoleon. Had Sweden been involved in war and my ancestor called into the field for war service, then I believe the sword would have been sharpened. There are 19th Swedish swords marked Morell & Co. I think they may have been cutlers?