French Hunting Sword

[cornstalk]

Can any of you guys provide any information about this sword, such as possible date range, is the handle bone or ivory, etc? I believe it to be French because of the very limited remaining inscription on the reverse side from this picture which appears to be french to me- but it's so worn I could be mistaken. Thanks.

 

[tenngun]

Solid protection Incase one runs in to Puss in Boots

 

[cornstalk]

It makes my Bowie knife look small- didn't think that was possible.

 

[Erwan]

It's not my expertise, (I'm not really a blade enthusiast) but it very looks like a “venery dagger” (Chasse à courre).
If it is really French (I don't know), this type of dagger was in great production in the 18th century, under the reign of Louis-Philippe and during the first and second empire (Napoleon III) until the end of the 19th century. They were well shorter later.
The handles were most often made of horn, deer antlers or precious or semi-precious woods, ebony very rarely (if ever) of ivory...

Typical 30'' of the First Empire :
(click on picture)

 

[cornstalk]

@Erwan interesting, thanks. I know nothing of these things but doesn't a dagger have both sides sharpened? Or not necessarily? The blade length is a bit over 23" if that helps. So far I haven't been able to find any pictures on the Interweb of the quatrefoil design of the quillons even vaguely similar which I thought might help identify it.

 

[Erwan]

Did yous ask Mr Google with "dague de venerie" request and in Image take the big pictures :

 

[cornstalk]

@Erwan well looking at all the images it sure looks like it is french. Haven't seen any with the serrated edge yet (which doesn't look like it was ever sharp). Do you think the edge is just a design element? Or is there a practical purpose for it? Thanks

 

[Erwan]

I suppose that the undulation of the edge is an element of the decoration. But don't forget the fact of certain forms are to induce an internal bleeding or facilitating the flow of blood from on the blade...
That can also be (I think it more) a decoration made by the builder of the blade...

 

[flintlock75]

Can any of you guys provide any information about this sword, such as possible date range, is the handle bone or ivory, etc? I believe it to be French because of the very limited remaining inscription on the reverse side from this picture which appears to be french to me- but it's so worn I could be mistaken. Thanks.

View attachment 119784

Pictures of the engraving and inscription would help a lot. Thanks

 

[cornstalk]

 

[LRB]

Looks like file decoration to me and not a serrated edge. I would say it is a hunting sword regardless of it's nationality.

 

[cornstalk]

Here is a closeup of the handle. The sheath is a replacement.

 

[smo]

German maybe?
Great piece

 

[Artificer]

Looks like file decoration to me and not a serrated edge. I would say it is a hunting sword regardless of it's nationality.

Very much agree! Such decorative file work was/is known as "Jimping" on Scottish blades, though the origin was probably originally meant or used to ensure a good thumb rest for the Sgian Dubh when it was still a short hunting/skinning/game dressing knife before it became better known as the stocking knife and on the Sgian Achlais or "Hidden/Armpit" Dagger as shown below.

Later on Jimping was used solely as decoration on a Scottish Biodag (pr: beedak ) Dirk.

The ends of the quillons of the guard have an interesting double quatrefoil design. Use of single quatrefoils on the ends of quillons goes back to the late medieval period on the true Scottish two hand or hand and a half Claymore claidheamh - mòr swords.

Now I am NOT suggesting this is a Scottish Hunting Sword, though it would be a real hoot if the writing was Gaelic instead of French.

I am NO expert on hunting swords, but from examples I've seen and looked up, I would say late 18th century or more likely early 19th century at the earliest.

Gus

 

[Musketeer]

Definitely has the 18th century European hunting sword look. Could be French; could be German. I am a sword fan, but my interest ranges from ancient to Renaissance, so this is beyond my knowledge, other than in a very general way.

 

[toot]

that saw back look's real menacing!!

 

[Poguetx]

The Celtic crosses on the guard say Scottish to me. French was the "universal" language back then. Maybe you should send pictures to the "Forged in Fire" folks, and we can see Doug Mercaida test it on a boar carcass!

 

[flintlock75]

Looking at the pictures, this looks like a blade that was cut down from a Brocken French blade and remade into this sword you have. The file marks are very Scottish and just for looks. You can see where they cut through the original engraving. I have seen a few cut down blades reused . Just my opinion. Thanks for posting.

 

[user 48679]

Now you know what a "pig-sticker" is...…..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_sword

 

[cornstalk]

@flintlock75 good catch on the file decoration being added later as evidenced on one side the engraving almost misses it and on the other it clearly cuts through the engraving.