Swiss Briquet Model 1852 Short Sword?

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Eaglelord17

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Hi all,

I just recently decided to take a plunge into buying a sword as I have never bought one and figured it would be a neat addition for my Swiss collection. I ordered this sword that was advertised as a Swiss Briquet Model 1852 Short Sword from a dealer I have purchased from before and I trust so I never asked for any photos.

Now that its in my hands I am looking at it and I am not sure it is actually a Swiss 1852 Short Sword or if it is a modern copy or someone elses variant (the sword is based off of a French XI short sword so many different countries would have variants). I am not experienced in swords at all and would like some second opinions on it. I also know swords are one of the most faked things out there and it can be very easy to get a repro instead of the real thing.

The things that are throwing red flags for me are the fact that it is slightly different in comparison to photos I have compared to online, such as different pommel portion, different scabbard mounting system, the handle appears to be a bit different in shape, some really crude filing work on part of the handguard which I don't think the Swiss would have had any part in, and there is no markings of any sort that I have been able to locate on there, and there is a glued leather portion on the handguard to prevent the sword from rubbing on the scabbard.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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Looks a lot like a replica possibly made in India.

There are companies making replicas of flintlock BP long guns without flash hole drilled,some places make other pieces of equipment sometimes decent,mostly so-so quality.

Everyone wants to make a buck so this could be one of them.Easy to produce and made look half decent for a wall hanger.
 
I have to agree with the 2 previous posters.


  • No maker's stamp and
  • "Ugly file marks finish"
  • lousy fit overall

This doesn't look like "proud" Swiss quality workmanship.
 
I'm by no means an expert on swords, but it doesn't look "right" for a sword of that vintage. I'd be sending it back and demanding a full refund - and probably never purchasing another item from that seller.

As an aside, I had a similar interaction with a retailer in the GTA over a British No.9 bayonet. Advertised a Poole No.9, asked for a photo of the makers mark (confirmed it was a Poole), received a POF (Pakistani) - sent an email and the fellow tried to say that POF meant Poole Ordinance Factory. Sure..., sent it back and got a refund. Friggin' shysters...
 
I am going to ask for a refund. I don't mind dealing with this particular dealer I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as everytime I have dealt with him his wares have been accurately described (usually in better condition than how he described it). He doesn't really deal in swords that much and it may be that he was had before I was.
 
I have to admit that it took me all of three seconds to ID that thing as a fake. I've never seen a pierce of Swiss cutlery that didn't look as though it had been made by Rolex. The quillon/crosspiece looked as it had been shaped by Stevie Wonder - from memory.
 
So apparently it isn't a fake according to a knowledgeable person I have been in contact with. This particular example has been messed with but it is a real example. These were basically the mass produced cheap swords that were issued to the soldiers who couldn't afford a nicer one. Apparently the earlier ones were more or less unmarked but there was no real set standard which explains the variances.
 
as long as the handle is made up of pieces and not a single cast - you are getting closer to it being "real" because in essence it is a real sword versus a copy or counterfeit. Being a general issue sword (just as today and going back 300 years) the officer class bought their own sidearms and the state, country, benefactor supplied the sidearms for the non-commissioned. I would be more worried that it wasn't regimental marked or not having the "owners" initials or marks. Plus the blade steel looks young and the brass rather unmarred.
 
Eaglelord17 said:
So apparently it isn't a fake according to a knowledgeable person I have been in contact with. This particular example has been messed with but it is a real example. These were basically the mass produced cheap swords that were issued to the soldiers who couldn't afford a nicer one. Apparently the earlier ones were more or less unmarked but there was no real set standard which explains the variances.
Click to expand...

... the knowledgeable person, is this the same guy who sold it to you?


:)
 
If you like it and did not pay much for it, keep it. If you paid a lot for it send it back...it looks like a cheap pile of garbage TBH, and you will never convince a buyer down the road it's original.
 
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