(Österreichisches Infanterie Offizier M1861 Saber). A unique, privately-purchased Austrian M1861 sword, measuring 795 mm in length when inserted into the scabbard. The sword features a single ridged, slightly curved 630 mm long magnetic metal blade with one sharpened edge into a sharpened tip and a thickened dull edge opposite of the sharpened edge. The ricasso is maker marked “WEYERSBERG & KIRSCHBAUM & Co SOLINGEN”. The blade fits nicely into the crossguard, also of silvered magnetic metal. The guard is slotted, curved and extends to the pommel in a sweeping fashion. A plain band transitions into a ribbed shark shagreen handle with nine rows of twisted wire in the recess of the ribbed grip. The spine of the grip extends to the pommel which is marked with a crowned “WP” cipher. Attached to the hilt is a Kaiser Franz Joseph I portepee. Constructed of woven golden yellow and gilt thread with three black stripes, the stem is embroidered with an Austrian double-headed eagle on one side and on the other with the cipher “FJi” (Franz Joseph I) with twisted gilt and black wire fringe.
The scabbard is constructed of a silvered magnetic metal with a flattened “U”-shaped finial. A band with a circular integral ring lays at the midpoint and a band with an ovular integral ring lays closer to the crossguard. Attached is a sword hanger of a red-brown leather with gilt and black woven wire on the obverse with a circular gilded metal buckle and smaller attachment loop with squared silver-metal buckle. Age-appropriate wear and material fatigue is evident, but this privately-purchased example, likely gifted to a nobleman's son, is in an overall near extremely fine condition.
Shipping Footnote: Please note that there will be an additional shipping charge during or post time of purchase.