Thread: Can anyone identify this sword?

Hello everybody

I have just discovered this forum, what a fantastic resource!

I was wondering if anyone could identify this sword? The grip appears to be either ivory or bone, and the blade is inscribed with 'GRAHAM' which I assume is the makers mark.

Any help much appreciated

I have grave doubts about this sword, sorry.
Ivory is coool to the touch and remains cool for some time. Faux ivory (plastic) is cold and then warm, as the pastic reflects your body heat.
Which is it?

If in any doubt, take a Stanley type knife and heat the tip until red hot. Then touch a discrete part of the grip. Does it melt and smoke? It is plastic.

Sorry, but the marking to the blade makes me think India, 2009.

Mark

Ah well, I know it is earlier than 2009 as my father had it from at least 1946.

OK, so do the hot knife tip test on it. The blade type is not wehat I would expect for this pattern of sword unless it were a repro. The blade markings are not what I would expect unless it were a repro. Ahain, do the grip test to see if it is plastic (a repro) or ivory.

I have tested the handle and it isn't plastic, the blade has a good patina which I am confidant is comensurate with age. What period does the hilt suggest and what sort of blade would be expected with it?

It is a spadroon hilted sword. English examples are circa 1780-1790. The non-fullered blade section is too small for my liking. I would not expect to see anything like that stamped to a blade. "Graham" on its own does not mean anything to me; the only Graham I know of was a US maker and he was in a partnership, so it would not be just "Graham". Sorry but repro swords that I have seen often have this type of blade and semi-name markings. I bet it is a heavy sword for its size, yes? Either way. Unless I knew the auctioneer well, I would not accept the grip was ivory if I were buying from an auction house. Ivory is easily identified and old ivory has many hairline cracks to it. Your grip shows absolutely no trace of cracking as I can see. This is an item I would avoid. If it is authentic, I would be very surprised and love to know all about it.
Regards
Mark

I have taken a few more detail photographs, and i have re tested the grip, a red hot blade makes no impression at all. The sword is surprisingly light, although I have nothing to compare it with, on the kitchen scales it weighs in at approximately 600g, is this of any help?03012012547.jpg03012012549.jpg03012012551.jpg03012012559.jpg03012012566.jpg

Well the weight is just over what I would consider right (0.55 Kg). The blade is more like on a 1796 pattern. But again, that stamped name for me is unusual at best, not right at worst. I would expect the remnants of etching and, if no etching, any maker's name stamped to the spine. The stamp does not look aged and does look like a modern font. Also, there is no fine cracking to the grip; I am sure it is not ivory therefore. Bone? Does not sound right / is very unusual again. Would love to handle it and, with respect, use the hot tip test myself. But, again, if I were a gambling man, I would say a repro and anyway, I would not bid on / offer anything for it, sorry.