How much is my sword worth?

ash h

Hi.
I have an old sword at home and im just wondering how much it would be worth.Would someone be able to value it if i send them a few pictures?
Thanks

SpitfireIV

ash h wrote:

Hi.
I have an old sword at home and im just wondering how much it would be worth.Would someone be able to value it if i send them a few pictures?
Thanks

ash h,

It really depends on what type of sword it is? A sporting sword, military, ceremony etc etc. Also how old it is would affect value obviously, and its condition, does it have its scabbard or presentation box, also the country seem to have an effect on price, I find that British and German militaria swords demand the highest prices.

If you want to send me a few pictures, or throw a few up here I'd be delighted to help (and if its a pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre I'd be VERYYYYYYYYY happy ).

CroppyBoy1798

ash h

Here they are.

Red Hand

Cool sword. I like the detail on the blade

Thomas_S_Hunterson

do you know anything about it? like its history etc

SpitfireIV

Ash h,

I've been looking about and I cant seem to find out what that sword of yours is. From the detailing on the blade, and the scabbard that looks like its velvet or felt covered (is that right?). It would seem to be more of a presentation or display sword rather than a militaria, combat sword. I would doubth its British anyway from the style of the grip, it appears to be plain brass, wheres the British had wood incorporated into the grip, or in most cases a leather grip with wire wrap.

Is there any makers marks, numbers, or stampings of any sort on it?

ash h

croppyboy1798 - i think the sword covering is suede.There are no markings on it apart from the pattern on the blade.The head is brass.

sean_keevy - i know nothing about the swords history.

Banphrionsa

Jeremiah 16:1 wrote:

Cool sword. I like the detail on the blade

Oh, folded steel by a precision craftsman from Japan (or Toledo), if any of these people still exist today might be a clue. But what use does a sword of this type have today? Could it be used to chop and make fox sushi? (Loaf sized bread crumb).

SpitfireIV

Done a lot of looking ash h, but unfortunatey I aint come up with nothing. The only thing that I can guess is that its purely a show sword because of the velvet scabbard, swords of that type if used for military purposes would have a metal or leather scabbard.

Banphrionsa, I'd imagine such a sword has no use now adays, but they are nice conversation pieces and reminders of bygone days.

CroppyBoy1798

ash h

Ok thanks for your time croppyboy1798 and Banphrionsa.
Would you be able to put a value on it?

SpitfireIV

ash h,

As I'm unable to put a date on it, or match it to a particular country, I'd have no idea as regards value. I'm currently looking for a sword myself (a pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre......incase anyone wants to offer me one ) and have seen a lot of prices, they range anywhere from £100 - £500, the cheaper ones being the more modern, less known ones and the dearer ones being the older more desirable and collectable ones.

I'd hazard a guess and say your one was made as an ornament and not for actual military or combat use, and would range it anywhere from €50 - €150 or there abouts. But as I say, I havent come across that particular pattern, so for all we know it could be worth more. I hope someone who has a knowledge of swords will know what it is and give an accurate estimate as I'd like to know myself.

CroppyBoy1798

ps, just a couple more questions, is there any metal loops on the scabbard, ie for securing it to a waste belt or horse saddle.

Are you looking to sell it, or just get an idea as to its value?

Clare gunner

I would tip on it being made in India,during the last centuary.The all brass grip and gaurd with the "tiger head" ornament would point that way.What is the steel like?Also is it a "live blade"?IE is the tip ,false edge and long part of the blade sharp?Or looks like it could be sharpned.Hard to tell from the pics,you really need to see it in the flesh so to speak.

Banphironsa
yup,the Japanese still do have a few master swordsmiths.If you have anything between 50 to 100K to spend and appx five years waiting time.They will make you a katana,that is a work of art.Toledo,i dunno if they still make swords.Wilkinson sword packed up this year in the sword dept.Thus depriving the British army of ceremonial swords.
What can you do with a sword nowadays?Burglar sish kebab?

The_Conductor

Banphrionsa wrote:

Oh, folded steel by a precision craftsman from Japan (or Toledo), if any of these people still exist today might be a clue. But what use does a sword of this type have today? Could it be used to chop and make fox sushi? (Loaf sized bread crumb).

Toledo- haven't come across that in a while. Was it Maurice Walsh who wrote of the Irish rebels and their toledo swords? Think it was Black Cock's Feather? Whats the story with the bread crumbs though?

ash h

Croppyboy1978: It has no hoops on the scabbard but there is a hole on the grip. .I might sell it,it really depends on how much its worth.

Clare Gunner: id say the steel could be sharpned.

ash h

Few more pictures.

SpitfireIV

The pictures were a help alright, and I'd be pretty certain that its only a show sword. Something which Clare Gunner said too, that it was likely made in India not too long ago. There is a big trade over there for reproduction of antique arms, they make everything from Brown Besses to cavalry sabres and everything in between.

It was the lions head and the detailing on the brass which gives it away, it seems to be crudely engraved rather than molded, and is unlike any sword I have seen as regards quality of manufacture.

I doubth you'd get a fortune for it, I'd still stick by my €50-€150 estimate and think that even €150 you'd be doing well.

CroppyBoy1798

ash h

Ok thanks for your help.One last thing: where could i sell it?The buy and sell?

SpitfireIV

ash h, is that your sword on e-bay? If not there is one darn similar to it.

ash h

No its not.Can i have the link to the one the same as it please.

SpitfireIV

Its the image of yours ash, however it aint good, it had 9 bids and only sold for £11.03. Sadly no info on it though.

See if this works:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOOK-OLD-SWORD-NO-INFORMATION-ON-THIS-ITEM_W0QQitemZ6623061235QQcategoryZ66534QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

CroppyBoy1798

SpitfireIV

Ash, your swords long lost brother is up for sale again on E-Bay, check it out if your still about, might give you an idea of what people are willing to pay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-Ceremonial-Dress-Sword-possibly-Ghurka_W0QQitemZ6630313735QQcategoryZ72043QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

nubbintom

This is funny, when I seen the title 'How much is my sword worth?' I instantly thought of the swords my dad has shoved away in the wardrobe some where, and the one posted here is the exact same ones!!!! But as far as Im aware they're just cheap ornamental swords made in the 70's, hench the purple velvet, but if anyone realy knows I'd love to find out.

SpitfireIV

Well there ye go Nubbintom, as you say, the swords are only made for show and made in relative recent years, I sort of suspected that all along. They dont seem to fetch a high price either by the looks of it.

SpitfireIV

And again........

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6632458266&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

nubbintom

Bingo!! That's them, my father said he got them in town in the 70's for 2.50 or somthing, just a novelty realy, pity.

chelena

i found this sword at a trash and treasure market. have no idea about it. any help would be much appreciated guys and gals. the blade has pictures of several horses and men wearing some sort of head wear riding at each other

chelena

im pretty sure its for display, but i found an image of one exactly the same on an image search tht was dug up and said to be 500 years old.

chopper6

It's a modern display sword...the blade is uneven and the hilt is made from poor-quality die-casting.

It's a repro of a much older design.

This sort of thing is very common on sites such as battleorders.co.uk and in souveneer shops across the world.