Collecting antique arms can be a rewarding experience. In store for the student of antique arms is a story of history, adventure, art and intrigue! Too dramatic? Well, it can be both incredibly fun, enlightening and frustrating as well. Frederick Wilkinson sums it up the best. He gives the beginner and idea of what to expect in beginning your adventure of antique arms collecting, specifically in the area of edged weapons…
"It is probably more important for the collector of edged weapons to acquire an “eye” and a sense of “rightness” than in almost any other field of arms collecting. Swords and daggers do not, unfortunately, lend themselves to neat, precise, easy classification in the same way as pistols for there are far fewer guides in style, decoration and technical detail than with firearms. Thus it is frequently very difficult to ascribe a precise date or country of origin to many weapons since the same basic style may well have lasted for a long time and have been common to most of Europe at slightly differing periods. Apart from these basic problems the situation is further complicated by the ease with which an over-enthusiastic restorer or an unscrupulous dealer can ‘marry’ blades, hilts and pommels from quite separate weapons. This, of course, is not to say that every sword which exhibits some peculiar feature is a fake for, by their very nature, swords frequently suffered knocks and damage which necessitated some repair or modification. Owners of a good quality blade often had it reseated in the current style and in an emergency old stock held in reserve might well be used and adapted. Even the marks, maker’s names or initials found on so many blades, which might be expected to help, are of little use, for they are so often unidentified or at least unrecorded. Prior to the 18th century our knowledge of makers is very meagre indeed and it is only thanks to the arrival of a more bureaucratic mentality that the surviving trade directories, contracts and letters have enabled researchers to identify many of the sword makers and retailers."
- Frederick Wilkinson, Swords & Daggers, pages 61 - 62.
Do not be frustrated! You will come up against many walls built of either a lack of information or walls built of too many varied opinions, of which I am merely another. I have tried to find reference points and supporting information from as many authorities on the subject as possible. However, over the years information has changed and been updated as we learn more or at least come to a better understanding as to the intent of a general order. It also has helped over the years as more examples have come to light. It is to this end that in trying to assist the novice in identifying pieces they may have, that I have approached this website in a different way.
On many sites, sword identification is attempted through the presumption that you already know from which country the sword originates. That is not always immediately obvious and time and again I have seen swords misidentified. I have decided to attempt initial sword identification through form and then through more finite means.
You should also be aware that the following gallery is built purely on swords that I currently own or passed through my collection. Therefore it will not be a complete list. It will gradually grow as I continue to add pieces to my collection. It is mostly comprised of British or Commonwealth swords, but you may find it very interesting to see swords from other countries that look very much like their British counterparts and have fooled many people in the collecting world. Enjoy.