how to clean rusty blades?

Light surface rust responds well to a soft cloth and a little mineral oil. You want to stabilise the metal rather than polish it back to a bright shine. Heavy, flaking rust is another matter. A conservator can remove active corrosion using brass wool and specific oils without damaging the surviving grey patina beneath.

I was looking closely at the blade on a cavalry sabre and noticed the groove down the middle stops before the tip. Why does it do that instead of going all the way down?

That groove is the fuller. It removes material from the thickest part of the blade to make the weapon lighter in the hand. Stopping the fuller before the tip keeps the end of the blade rigid. A cavalry trooper needed a strong point for thrusting, which a continuous groove would weaken.

what is the leather bit on the guard?

You are looking at the buff leather washer. It sits at the base of the blade right against the guard. This pad acts as a bumper. It stops the metal hilt from clashing loudly against the throat of the scabbard when sheathed.

My grandfather had this infantry officer's sword hanging on his wall for decades, but the metal scabbard has a couple of very deep dents near the bottom edge. Did that happen in combat?

Dents near the base of a metal scabbard are very common. They usually result from daily wear rather than battlefield action. Officers wore these suspended from a belt. As they walked or rode, the heavy steel scabbard swung freely and struck doorways or stone steps. Most dents tell a story of routine military service. Some scabbards were even intentionally pinched to grip the blade more tightly, though a sharp dent at the very end is almost always accidental impact damage.

0

54,782 PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 82 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS

Sorted by

Per page

DEALER LOGIN

Swords

Sort Order

Items Per Page

Miscellaneous

Antique Swords

← Page 8 of 8 →

Antique swords are edged weapons featuring a metal blade and a hilt. Armies issued them for combat, while gentlemen carried lighter variations for civilian use.

1900 - 1920

Save

Silver Topped Malacca Sword Stick

From AJD Antiques

£800

APPROVED 3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

19th century

Save

Antler Handled Malacca Sword Stick

From AJD Antiques

£1,000

APPROVED 3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

19th century

Save

French Napoleonic Naval Dagger C.1810

From Original Retro

£850

APPROVED 3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

19th century

Save

Victorian Hardwood Sword Stick

From AJD Antiques

£795

APPROVED 3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

← 1 ... 4 5 6 7 8 →

66,729

Antiques For Sale

82

Antiques Approved Today

3,069

Antique Uploads This Month

54,782

Page Views Today

440,775

Total Antiques Sold

Antique Swords

Silver Topped Malacca Sword Stick

Antler Handled Malacca Sword Stick

French Napoleonic Naval Dagger C.1810

Victorian Hardwood Sword Stick

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Movements

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Freshness

Online Payments

Categories