Corpse carrier sword 19thc Austro-Hungary and mourning swords

Jim McDougall · 18th July 2025, 05:45 PM

In sword esoterica we are familiar with the small swords known as mourning swords in the 18th century, typically held to be blackened steel with otherwise similar elements to the regularly worn forms.

However this particular sword seems to have appeared in several sale venues, and seems to be the same sword identified as 'corpse carrier sword' from Austro-Hungarian context latter 19th c. The reference was apparently a book on arms of the Austro-Hungarian empire but cannot recall title and never acquired the book.

While the unusual scalloped shell element on the guard resembles many types of traditional court swords, this one is most unusual, as is the classification presumably referring to pall bearers in official status.

I'd like to know if anyone has seen such a sword type, or any such term used in classification. While on the topic, it would be interesting to know just how old is the tradition of mourning swords, and the characteristics of these into those of the 18th c.

M ELEY · Today, 01:33 AM

Hello Jim and thank you for posting this fascinating sword. I know you and I have discussed it briefly in the past (and due to the rarity and much lack of materials on them, the info was very brief!). I remember seeing one in the several hundred sword auction catalogs I acquired back in the day and took some time to browse through the pile! (Flaydermann's, Frederick's Swords, Dale C. Anderson, Museum of Historical Arms, etc, etc) and I finally found one in William Fagan & Co, Catalog 62 (#327) from the mid-90's. I was so hoping they would list a source, but alas, they did not. Theirs was exactly like yours, with the 'Solingen' stamp. They mentioned they were (as we already know!) carried by the corpse carriers, but what I didn't realize was that these were military funerals only ("Unique pattern for military pall bearers). Theirs had tiny edge bruises "from salutes" per their description. Their example had a black leather scabbard with iron mounts just like yours. In decribing it, they mention that the knuckle bow was separate and riveted through the cross guard. Interestingly, they said it was the 'only one' they'd ever come across or sold, which is saying something considering they've been in business since 1965!! I've never seen another in any other auction or catalog. Yours is a very rare sword indeed!

Jim McDougall · Today, 02:05 AM

Thank you so much for coming in on this! I knew I could count on you. You are one of the few people who has a grasp for this kind of sword esoterica, and indeed we have discussed this before. As was indicated back then, it was an unusual item then...and I do believe it was for both court and military funerals.

While a macabre aspect of the swords spectrum, so are mourning swords, which is why I included those in the heading.
I know I have the reference I was told sourced this, but it is yet somewhere in the mountains of notes I am going through.

M ELEY · Today, 05:00 AM

Thanks, Jim. I forgot to mention the sellers dated it to around 1850-60.

I've always been fascinated with mourning swords, but don't have much to add. I know many smallswords were later blackened for such occasions. I'm assuming the metal was 'pickled', just like the Japanese used to do to darken the metal. However, I've also heard that blackened rapiers/smallswords were carried by the town guard/sargeants patrolling the streets? In any case, hope some others can come in with examples of mourning weapons-

Jim McDougall · Today, 01:42 PM

Thanks Capn, that date seems right, and Im determined to find that note on the title on Austro-Hungarian focus that is said to hold the material on this sword type and context.

With the MOURNING type swords, as esoterica, these are not specifically mentioned in any references on swords except for the faithful J.D.Aylward ("The Smallsword in England" (1945. p.54-55).
Here it is described that early 'mourning swords' were cheaply made productions with hilts of blackened steel and grips of steel wire in keeping with the strictest 18th century convention of wearing black in mourning. However they were worn with any sober dress apparently outside the mourning period it seems.

The later ones were of cut steel with upper side of shell decorated in star pattern, grips of copper wire or blued steel in keeping with dark tone of the weapon.
Many of these had fine engraved blades, and while typically not used in true fighting, at least one case noted in Aylward lists as fatal duel where one was used.
These were not only for the typically brief period of mourning, but were essentially, according to Aylward, an unobtrusive town weapon.

In checking through references having to do with funerary matters, customs etc. while all manner of etiquette, fashions, and of course tombstones etc are thoroughly included....as always, there is not the slightest hint that the SWORD would be recognized in the matter of fashion.

I do hope that this arcane area of the sword might attract the interest of at least some students of the sword, those of course who study in the more esoteric aspects. Perhaps we might find some examples of these used in the wardrobes of notable figures, in Aylward it is noted that in the estate of one man, he had four swords....two of them 'mourning'.

Thank you again Capn!

Jim McDougall · Today, 02:48 PM

Found some examples :
It seems the fashion for these types of swords by 1790s had evolved into the cut steel neoclassic styles which were produced by Matthew Boulton of Soho and followed by other shops. These were often elaborate and highly embellished with beading and piercings.

Jim McDougall · Today, 02:56 PM

According to OED, the first evidence of the noun MOURNING SWORD was in a letter authored by John Verney (1640-1717), 1st Viscount of Fermanagh, of Middle Clayton, Bucks.

Jim McDougall · Today, 03:12 PM

This Italian smallsword is listed as smallsword with 'blackened hilt' and copper wire grip, noting these types of swords were often 'misleadingly' called mourning swords. It is claimed that this style of decoration was actually in accord with dark toned clothing favored by men in fashion in these times.

I disagree with this assessment as it is well noted that these swords were NOT exclusively used in mourning and funerary occasions but also worn in occasions where somber or unobtrusive weapon would be worn.

Also, the notion that the early versions of these were cheaply made with poor blades (Aylward, 1945) seems to be perhaps an exception, possibly in England. This Italian example of end of 17th century has the triangular blade of 33" which was in following with formidable light rapiers becoming the fashion in civilian swords of the time.

18th July 2025, 05:45 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,416	Corpse carrier sword 19thc Austro-Hungary and mourning swords In sword esoterica we are familiar with the small swords known as mourning swords in the 18th century, typically held to be blackened steel with otherwise similar elements to the regularly worn forms. However this particular sword seems to have appeared in several sale venues, and seems to be the same sword identified as 'corpse carrier sword' from Austro-Hungarian context latter 19th c. The reference was apparently a book on arms of the Austro-Hungarian empire but cannot recall title and never acquired the book. While the unusual scalloped shell element on the guard resembles many types of traditional court swords, this one is most unusual, as is the classification presumably referring to pall bearers in official status. I'd like to know if anyone has seen such a sword type, or any such term used in classification. While on the topic, it would be interesting to know just how old is the tradition of mourning swords, and the characteristics of these into those of the 18th c. Attached Images

Today, 02:48 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,416	Mourning swords c1790-1800 Found some examples : It seems the fashion for these types of swords by 1790s had evolved into the cut steel neoclassic styles which were produced by Matthew Boulton of Soho and followed by other shops. These were often elaborate and highly embellished with beading and piercings. Attached Images

Today, 02:56 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,416	Term: mourning sword According to OED, the first evidence of the noun MOURNING SWORD was in a letter authored by John Verney (1640-1717), 1st Viscount of Fermanagh, of Middle Clayton, Bucks.

Today, 03:12 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,416	Italian smallsword 1690-1720 This Italian smallsword is listed as smallsword with 'blackened hilt' and copper wire grip, noting these types of swords were often 'misleadingly' called mourning swords. It is claimed that this style of decoration was actually in accord with dark toned clothing favored by men in fashion in these times. I disagree with this assessment as it is well noted that these swords were NOT exclusively used in mourning and funerary occasions but also worn in occasions where somber or unobtrusive weapon would be worn. Also, the notion that the early versions of these were cheaply made with poor blades (Aylward, 1945) seems to be perhaps an exception, possibly in England. This Italian example of end of 17th century has the triangular blade of 33" which was in following with formidable light rapiers becoming the fashion in civilian swords of the time. Attached Images

Today, 01:33 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,181	Hello Jim and thank you for posting this fascinating sword. I know you and I have discussed it briefly in the past (and due to the rarity and much lack of materials on them, the info was very brief!). I remember seeing one in the several hundred sword auction catalogs I acquired back in the day and took some time to browse through the pile! (Flaydermann's, Frederick's Swords, Dale C. Anderson, Museum of Historical Arms, etc, etc) and I finally found one in William Fagan & Co, Catalog 62 (#327) from the mid-90's. I was so hoping they would list a source, but alas, they did not. Theirs was exactly like yours, with the 'Solingen' stamp. They mentioned they were (as we already know!) carried by the corpse carriers, but what I didn't realize was that these were military funerals only ("Unique pattern for military pall bearers). Theirs had tiny edge bruises "from salutes" per their description. Their example had a black leather scabbard with iron mounts just like yours. In decribing it, they mention that the knuckle bow was separate and riveted through the cross guard. Interestingly, they said it was the 'only one' they'd ever come across or sold, which is saying something considering they've been in business since 1965!! I've never seen another in any other auction or catalog. Yours is a very rare sword indeed!

Today, 02:05 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,416	Thank you so much for coming in on this! I knew I could count on you. You are one of the few people who has a grasp for this kind of sword esoterica, and indeed we have discussed this before. As was indicated back then, it was an unusual item then...and I do believe it was for both court and military funerals. While a macabre aspect of the swords spectrum, so are mourning swords, which is why I included those in the heading. I know I have the reference I was told sourced this, but it is yet somewhere in the mountains of notes I am going through.

Today, 05:00 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,181	Thanks, Jim. I forgot to mention the sellers dated it to around 1850-60. I've always been fascinated with mourning swords, but don't have much to add. I know many smallswords were later blackened for such occasions. I'm assuming the metal was 'pickled', just like the Japanese used to do to darken the metal. However, I've also heard that blackened rapiers/smallswords were carried by the town guard/sargeants patrolling the streets? In any case, hope some others can come in with examples of mourning weapons-

Today, 01:42 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,416	Thanks Capn, that date seems right, and Im determined to find that note on the title on Austro-Hungarian focus that is said to hold the material on this sword type and context. With the MOURNING type swords, as esoterica, these are not specifically mentioned in any references on swords except for the faithful J.D.Aylward ("The Smallsword in England" (1945. p.54-55). Here it is described that early 'mourning swords' were cheaply made productions with hilts of blackened steel and grips of steel wire in keeping with the strictest 18th century convention of wearing black in mourning. However they were worn with any sober dress apparently outside the mourning period it seems. The later ones were of cut steel with upper side of shell decorated in star pattern, grips of copper wire or blued steel in keeping with dark tone of the weapon. Many of these had fine engraved blades, and while typically not used in true fighting, at least one case noted in Aylward lists as fatal duel where one was used. These were not only for the typically brief period of mourning, but were essentially, according to Aylward, an unobtrusive town weapon. In checking through references having to do with funerary matters, customs etc. while all manner of etiquette, fashions, and of course tombstones etc are thoroughly included....as always, there is not the slightest hint that the SWORD would be recognized in the matter of fashion. I do hope that this arcane area of the sword might attract the interest of at least some students of the sword, those of course who study in the more esoteric aspects. Perhaps we might find some examples of these used in the wardrobes of notable figures, in Aylward it is noted that in the estate of one man, he had four swords....two of them 'mourning'. Thank you again Capn!