Another blade from the past

I thought you might enjoy this blade from the past, with a little history behind it. This saber was captured by my Great Uncle during WW I in France, 1917. The serial number on the blade, the hilt, and the scabbard all match. It has the original leather finger strap inside the hand guard. According to the stamping on the blade, it was manufactured by Alexander Coppel in Soligen, Germany.

My Great Uncle passed it to my Grandfather, who also served in France. When I retired from the Army, he passed it along to me. Sorry for the pics, wished they were of better quality, but here they are.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps6lysyk7a.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...pszbbvmkhh.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ps0wolicsa.jpg

Wow! What a piece of history! It looks in perfect condition. I wonder if a bullet did not strike the scabbard just there?

I'm not sure, that ding and another in the front of the hand guard are the only real damage I've found. The blade is near perfect, other than some scuff marks where the blade was dressed. I take it out, clean and oil it about once a year, then return it to its' sheath. One day it will be passed down again, and hopefully the short story of how it came to me. Whoever receives it from me gets a package deal. I also have my Grandfathers ID tag, ribbons, collar brass, and a Unit history book provided by his Commanders family, who owned a publishing company in Seattle.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Wow! What a piece of history! It looks in perfect condition. I wonder if a bullet did not strike the scabbard just there?

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I Highly doubt that, because a bullet would have gone clean throug a bit of sheet metal. It's more likely a mark from bumping into something or falling on something. something like that.

Correct. I have seen a traditional katana that had been fitted out with WW2 era Gunto metal fittings that took a bullet hit. It won't though one side of the metal scabbard, took a bullet sized notch out of the edge of the blade and went out the other size. I suspect that it then lodged in the leg or torso of the guy carrying the sword.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

I Highly doubt that, because a bullet would have gone clean throug a bit of sheet metal. It's more likely a mark from bumping into something or falling on something. something like that.

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