Made by Lunenschloss of Solingen (marked 'PDL' in italic script at the forte), this is particularly rare as a double-bar variant of the expanding hilt popular with Austrian infantry officers at this period. The normal type has only one expanding side bar. A typical feature to note is the early leather (as opposed to fish skin) grip.
These swords with expanding guards were unofficial examples of infantry swords initially developed in 1837 and continued being made into the mid-century. They were not officially approved of (in other words, they were without imperial approval or army regulation), but were carried by both cavalry and infantry officers in the middle years of the 19th century when there was much combat in northern Italy. The cavalry examples normally have more steeply curved blades and, generally speaking, are not pipe-backed as this is. This weapon was really developed for the thrust, as pipe-backed blades tend to hinder an efficient cut.
There is considerable patination over all the ironwork, heavy in parts on the inside of the guard and on the ferrule of the grip, which has been partly cleaned off by hand. The scabbard is a plain iron example, with a brazing seam running down its entire length. There is only one scabbard bracelet and the ring is missing. The blade is 32.5" long with a slight curve.
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[Edged Weapons : Swords : Austrian : 19th Century]
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