Toledan Sword, Circa 1890

Striking sword made in Toledo, Spain, in the late 19th century. This is an engineer officer sword that comes with its original scabbard and is highly remarkable because of its nice design and the beautiful engraved decoration that embellishes the hilt and the blade. The sword is in good condition and the steel looks as shiny and polished as new. The blade is protected by the scabbard that shows slight sings of rust in some points. Nevertheless this piece has surely achieved its purpose as the blade has survived to our days in excellent condition. The scabbard keeps all its original parts including the suspension ring designed to hang the sword from the leather strips.The sword is a beautiful example of the art of making bladed-weapons typical of Toledo. The hilt is highly remarkable, being made of alpaca and with the cross-guard and guard profusely decorated with hand-made engravings. Among the vegetal-inspired designs engraved in the cross-guard we can distinguish a crowned turret flanked by two curved laurel branches. The turret is the symbol of engineers. The hilt is very beautiful and the motives are engraved with delicacy and precision, being the result an airy and light piece. The grip is covered by skates skin ensured with copper wire and is greatly preserved. Tied to the guard we can see a black cord ended by a brass tassel.The blade is also highly appealing and looks shiny as polished with no traces of rust. Just in the rain-guard, on one side we can see the shield of the Fábrica de Artillería de Toledo (Toledo Artillery Factory) while on the other there is an engraving depicting the crowned turret that symbolizes engineering, one more time. More than one third of the blade is decorated with delicate symmetrical vegetal-inspired motives; this decoration is on both sides and turns the word into an especially beautiful design. The blade has longitudinal grooves on both sides but the part near the point is flat.This is undoubtedly a high quality sword, most beautiful and whose ancient age hides a fascinating past. It is a piece that deserves a place of honor in any collection or room.Measurements: Length: 940 mm. Length of the scabbard: 770 mm.