Identification help

Ian · 16th May 2020, 07:14 AM

Very close resemblance to this sword which sold at auction in 2014 (see here). This sword is in a plain steel scabbard (what we can see). Auction details indicate:

Quote:

French Gendarmerie Royale Sword with brass two bar and dish back hilt. Decorated floral back strap. Complete with its steel scabbard with decorative brass ring mounts. Steel blade with remains of GENDARMERIE ROYALE wording. Good overall condition.

Probably not a "fake" IMHO, but hard to say.

.

Ian · 16th May 2020, 07:24 AM

And another from a different auction site. Listed as WWII Sino-Japanese War. This one has the same "chrysanthemum" motifs on the scabbard. Basket hilt is different however, and lower quality cast brass on hilt.
.

Ian · 16th May 2020, 07:48 AM

And another one on Worthpoint here. Each of the three examples I've shown were considered the auction sites to be of French manufacture and made during approximately the WWII period. Each site advertised it as an unusual sword. It would seem that the French either made it for other nations or others copied them.

Clockwork, if no further information is forthcoming here, I'll move it over to the European forum where you might get a more detailed response.

Ian.

clockwork · 16th May 2020, 09:06 AM

Thank you. I suspected it was of FrenchDesign all along. Just was not sure with the flower motifs. Which resemble my Japanese Police sword from around the same period. Google search of the name leaned towards Morocco.

I was also suspect from the similar designs on the other sword which seem to have more providence than this design. In another forum From 10+ years ago it talked about mass produced fakes from China.but was unable to see the pics on it. here is the link. http://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.20796.html. I hope to find out more and do thank all you.

Battara · 16th May 2020, 06:51 PM

Folks, I would argue with that auction attribution of their example being Japanese. They are confusing their example with the traditional WWII parade and police swords of Japan during that era.

What says "French" to me is not only the blade and the inscription, but this section (circled in red) that I have seen on French made examples:

asomotif · 17th May 2020, 08:50 PM

I am amazed about the quality of the example in post 8, but in general this sword makes me think of : made in the PRC

They like to combine styles and inscriptions and sell everything as ww2 japanese. just my 2 cents.

Ian · 18th May 2020, 01:15 AM

Clockwork:

As mentioned above, I'm moving this one over to the European Forum where you might get a clearer answer as to whether this is a French sword or a Chinese creation.

Ian.

16th May 2020, 07:24 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,054	And another from a different auction site. Listed as WWII Sino-Japanese War. This one has the same "chrysanthemum" motifs on the scabbard. Basket hilt is different however, and lower quality cast brass on hilt. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 16th May 2020 at 01:34 PM.

16th May 2020, 07:48 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,054	A third example ... And another one on Worthpoint here. Each of the three examples I've shown were considered the auction sites to be of French manufacture and made during approximately the WWII period. Each site advertised it as an unusual sword. It would seem that the French either made it for other nations or others copied them. Clockwork, if no further information is forthcoming here, I'll move it over to the European forum where you might get a more detailed response. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 16th May 2020 at 01:36 PM.

16th May 2020, 06:51 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,142	Folks, I would argue with that auction attribution of their example being Japanese. They are confusing their example with the traditional WWII parade and police swords of Japan during that era. What says "French" to me is not only the blade and the inscription, but this section (circled in red) that I have seen on French made examples: Attached Images

16th May 2020, 09:06 AM	#4
clockwork Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 93	Thank you. I suspected it was of FrenchDesign all along. Just was not sure with the flower motifs. Which resemble my Japanese Police sword from around the same period. Google search of the name leaned towards Morocco. I was also suspect from the similar designs on the other sword which seem to have more providence than this design. In another forum From 10+ years ago it talked about mass produced fakes from China.but was unable to see the pics on it. here is the link. http://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.20796.html. I hope to find out more and do thank all you.

17th May 2020, 08:50 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	I am amazed about the quality of the example in post 8, but in general this sword makes me think of : made in the PRC They like to combine styles and inscriptions and sell everything as ww2 japanese. just my 2 cents.

18th May 2020, 01:15 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,054	Clockwork: As mentioned above, I'm moving this one over to the European Forum where you might get a clearer answer as to whether this is a French sword or a Chinese creation. Ian.