Looking for a sword smith

[Gallachu]

When I was serving in Iraq in 2005 I came across an old sword. I cant remember the name of the maker that is on it since I am at work but when I googled it a while back it said it was the largest producer of US and British military swords. It has some rust on the blade but nothing too deep. I'm trying to find a smith that can give me some information/help me out with 1)cleaning it up and 2)appraising it.

When I get home later I can take a picture of it and get more information.

Thanks in advance,

Greg

 

[Cochise]

If you can, will you post some pics? I'd love to see it.

 

[Gallachu]

when i get home ill snap some and post. It's a nice looking blade, at least to me. We were beefing up security measures around a Iraqi police station and were there for a few weeks. some kids kept coming up trying to sell us alcohol, soda, porn, and other stuff and one came up one day with one of the cheap swords they sold in the bazaar. i told him i wanted a real sword and a few days later he came to me with it. he wanted 20 bucks for it but i got him down to 5 dollars and a MRE lol. I doubt i would sell it even if it turns out to be worth a lot but i would at least like to find out it's value and clean it up. then i will probably get a shadow box for it.

 

[Gallachu]

Ok i remembered the name of the maker. It was Wilkinson.

 

[returningliberty]

Does it have a stamp marking? If its stamped "416 stainless" or something it's not worth anything. If it has a couple weird stamps like maybe a lion and a rose + somebody's initials it might be worth something. Wilkinson Did make swords in like the 1770's, I'm not sure how long before and after, and was a British cutler.

Don't clean it up! Leave it as is, and if you send me some pics I'll forward it on to a couple of swordsmiths I know on another forum.

 

[Gallachu]

the only markings i saw was the wilkinson stamp. no 416 stainless or anything. will post pics when i get home today.... thanks for the replies

 

[Turn Key]

Does it have a stamp marking? If its stamped "416 stainless" or something it's not worth anything. If it has a couple weird stamps like maybe a lion and a rose + somebody's initials it might be worth something. Wilkinson Did make swords in like the 1770's, I'm not sure how long before and after, and was a British cutler.

Don't clean it up! Leave it as is, and if you send me some pics I'll forward it on to a couple of swordsmiths I know on another forum.

^^This .. Big time

TK

 

[Gallachu]

 

[Gallachu]

 

[cbr900son]

Try here. Looks very nice!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/f...-Levine-s-Knife-Collecting-amp-Identification

 

[returningliberty]

This looks like a 1912 pattern british cavalry officers sword, which would make sense, since its a wilkinson. Supposedly Wilkinson was bought or taken over by WKC or something in 2005. So we know that it is no older than 1912, or 1908 at the oldest (but the hilts were black). the youngest example I saw of one was in 1958. can you find a serial number anywhere?

go here:
http://www.antique-swords.org/

and post those pics. they will know For Sure.

 

[Gallachu]

That's the only markings on the blade. i was reading somewhere that sometimes they put numbers under the handle? but if thats the case id be too scared to mess it up by trying to take that off.

 

[john17427]

Cohen's in the French Quarter can probably tell you exactly what it is and how much it's worth. Don't know if they charge for appraisals though.

 

[Gallachu]

thanks. I will look them up and give them a call. Honestly i dont want to sell it because its all i have left from there since my x took everything else i sent back. but i do want to find its worth and as much about it as i can as well as get it cleaned up

 

[Gallachu]

The Princess Louise Dragoon Guard sword is a 1908 Trooper's sword. from what i can find this is what the sword is. i saw one online that looks identical to it except i havent been able to find that symbol thats on mine.

 

[cbr900son]

Thats part of the fun about old swords like that - the story and finding it out! Id also look into some kind of little display for it

 

[Gallachu]

Yeah was going to get a shadow box for it. one of the big questions is it's worth. is it an original and also should i get it cleaned up or leave it as is. also, like i had said before, i havent seen that symbol anywhere yet. ive been looking all over and seen many of the same design sword wise but still havent come across that symbol

 

[N4sir]

Old items like that are best left unrestored to retain their value. If it turns out to be not as valuable as you thought then you may consider restoring it mainly to keep as a conversation piece. I'd definitely get it looked at by someone that knows old swords. Try looking online and even if they are across the country, you can take pics and email them for initial thoughts and research.

 

[cbr900son]

Old items like that are best left unrestored to retain their value. If it turns out to be not as valuable as you thought then you may consider restoring it mainly to keep as a conversation piece. I'd definitely get it looked at by someone that knows old swords. Try looking online and even if they are across the country, you can take pics and email them for initial thoughts and research.

I agree totally. IF it turns out to not be worth much I could restore it for you no problem. BUT id definetly make sure its not worth much. Check out some sword and knife forums. Almost all of them have a collector subforum.

 

[FRANKEIGHT]

most cavalry swords were curved.ie sabre shape yours looks like it was made for action and not a presentation piece be careful if you go to cohens,if you send your photo to Wilkinsons in England they should be able to help you.I own aVictorian presentation sabre and Wilkinsons were very helpful some years back.
frank8