UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons European Edged Weapons Help ID'ing Austrian (?) Military-Appearing Short Sword/Knife

Hello to all from a newbie,

Any help ID'ing this military-appearing relic short sword (I don't really know
what to call it) will be greatly appreciated by both my husband and myself.
Apologies for my ignorance of the correct nomenclatures.

The ricasso stamping is only partly legible. Top line
might be "I L E R" or "T L E R" with the first letter or perhaps more than
one letter not visible. Could this possibly be "Zeitler"? Second line may be
"N - AJF", "N- AUE" or something similar. The only other visible markings,
which we can't decipher, are along the top of the grip area. Also
present in the same area are the numerals "2083".

Overall length is 21"; unfullered blade length is 15"; blade thickess at widest part is 1/4".
Blade is beveled on both sides beginning 3" from the tip. We can't decide if the
blade has been shortened - the bevelling is evenly done. Looks as though one side
of the iron crossguard has been straightened out. Grips are wood and held with
3 rivets. This thing is solid and weighty. It ain't pretty but it's paid for.

Apparently I can only post one photo (will go read up again on attachment-posting).

Thank you for any replies.

Lynne

Hello Lynne.

Welcome aboard.

That is an Austrian Model 1915 Pioneer Troops' Sabre/sidearm.

Zeitler was a maker of Austrian edged weapons - so you're correct there.

The crossguard has been bent - originally one side faced forward and the other back.

Original length was 552 mm/21.73 inches - so maybe a slight shortening has occurred.

Some of the other markings might be unit markings or inspection stamps - does really need a close up photo for this.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Richie

Richie, thank you so very much for your response. I've posted on several forums prior to this one, to no avail.

Here is a photo of the "other" markings.

Lynne

And a close-up of the tip:

Lynne

That could be "A.R." - possibly an Artillery Regiment marking.

These sidearms were designed for use as tools rather than weapons and were issued to engineers and other technical troops such as carpenters.

Possibly a little bit of the tip has gone - but not too much I suspect.

Regards

Richie

Hi !

The mark means: F.A.R. (Festungsartillerie-Regiment).

Rgds.,

R.


P.S.:

The correct nomenclature of this blank-weapon is "Faschinenmesser"

2:

3:

You guys rock !

Thank you again, Richie, for the additional posting and to Reibert for the great photos (wish ours looked like that - "character" only gets you so far) and info.

Lynne