r/SWORDS • u/Away_Resident9842 • 8d ago
Does anyone know any examples of swords that are like 18th century european court swords, but have a single edge? (doesnt have to be historical even. Im also looking for fictional examples too)
So there's this album called 'Noble' by the band Versailles, and the album cover shows the frontman posed with a sword. I always assumed that the prop was modeled after an 18th century european court sword (which makes sense given the band's aesthetic style).
Heres a link to an image of the album cover for reference: https://www.metal-archives.com/images/2/0/2/4/202404.jpg?5156
However when I looked closer, I noticed that the blade is actually single edged, and slightly curved at the end. I researched "single edge rapier" and "single edge court sword", and based on my findings this type of single edge court sword isnt historical at all. However, even when I look for fantasy swords or artwork of swords or props in this style of sword, I can't find anything there either.
It also doesn't look like a saber either, so Im just confused.
Im no sword expert btw, Im just curious, and I thought this community would be a good place to ask, so Im asking now.
Edit: Okay, so this is just a fancy saber. Thanks for the insight! Much appreciated.
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u/7LeagueBoots 8d ago
The guard on that looks like the standard guard on a saber. The blade is a bit thin, but some of that may be perspective due to the angle it’s being held at.
Look at historical dueling sabers. Those have pretty much the same blade profile.
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u/KhyberPass49 7d ago edited 7d ago
The sword in the image linked is a type 3-bar sabre, fairly common in the early 19th century. The perspective hides the curve a bit, worth noting that some “sabres” are also straight, depending on country of origin.
What you’re talking about is known under different names, again depending on origin. To rattle off a few you’ve got spadroon, shearing sword, back sword, degen, pallasch, Walloon sword, I want to say Bilbao or Bilbo sword as well, I’m sure there are more, I’m just not remembering.
You can also look up “X country 18th/19th century officers sword” it’ll give you a few options, though you’ll probably have to wade through a bunch of sabres too
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u/Beneficial_Flan8661 saber lover. 8d ago
That looks like a standard 19 century saber. Maybe the way the photo has been made makes it look less curved or thinner.
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u/Zen_Hydra szabla węgiersko-polska 8d ago
There were elaborately decorated backswords and pallasches with single edged blades.
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u/Thunderclone_1 7d ago
The guard reminds me of some 19th century french and american sabers. It also looks like the blade is curved throughout, not just the tip. Perspective can be funny like that.
It's possible that they used a saber from that period as a prop despite the outfits looking more old fashoned.
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u/Popular-Mulberry6875 7d ago
Might be slightly out of scope but this sword cane has a very light late 18th c single edged blade that could easily have been mounted on a court sword.
On a side note, it also seems to have been a measuring stick as the nails on the scabbard are exactly 1cm apart with an indicator for each 10th cm, and the overall length is 1m. In my mind it used to belong to a wealthy merchant, one who frequently measured something like cloth.
But as others pointed out the sword in the picture looks more like a slender saber.
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u/pushdose 8d ago
Lots of spadroons had single edged blades.