Featured Unusual Childs? Fencing Foil??

This is a rather odd one. It appears to be some type of small fencing foil. The length is only 29 inches and it has a very sharp point. Brass hilt and wood handle. Any clues on this? The symbol on the blade appears to have an “S” in the center of it. I have had several fencing foils in the past, but nothing like this??

 

Solingen was (is?) known for their blades.

 

I know nothing about swords but the writing font is early ie before 1850 and could be in the 1700's.

 

Here http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7583 they mention:
"The number 5 stands for length of the blade, which is the adult standard. For youth it used to be #3, and there was a rare longer blade, #7. I don't remember the exact measures."
That number should be at the base of the blade, near the guard.
The S is indeed for Solingen

 

https://www.antique-swords.com/F36-1740P-English-Scottish-Dragoon-Backsword.html
It's not the same but maybe a starting point?

 

I’v seen this needle before…

 

It is an antique fencing foil. The ones I've seen in the past were all German made. I don't know if it is a specific German type though.

(I used to fence in another lifetime.)

Still is.

 

The end comes to a point at an incorrect taper that looks from here too abrupt and not correct. Maybe different up close. And it shouldn’t be sharp like that for fencing use, certainly not for a child!!

I assume this was a normal length foil that broke, so the new owner decided to grind it off into a sharp point. Foils are heat treated to be flexible, but flexibility has its limits and will break given incorrect handling.

This is not a sword like raver shows since it has no edge, so for fencing not fighting. And I think 19th century Victorian era much more likely.

 

I do agree the tip is quite sharp, more a weapon than a fencing foil. The round walnut handle is also rather odd, very smooth and slippery. The blade tapers off quickly (compared to a normal Blade) and is 3/16” wide and 1/8 thick at 18 inches. No size # either?

 

An excellent hole-poker. Not sure what one poked the holes in.

 

If that point would get stuck in a piece of wood, not a wise move, but who said humans were wise? I guess we do wisenheimer pretty well, but that's not what is wanted.

 

Oho. I've seen a coal stove or two, but never a fireplace. The wooden handle would make sense for a coal poker since it doesn't transmit heat.

 

Given the flexibility and spring of a foil blade, it could flip a piece of coal right out of the fire.

 

Seemingly, the tip has been broken off this fencing foil, and the tip then sharpened and reshaped. The grip and pommel do not belong to this sword, they have been replaced. The pommel, though similar in shape, would have been of steel, and the grip, which were often shaped to the hand, were finely wound in a string like substance for an improved grip.
Though the blade is marked Solingen, I believe the sword to actually be French. Solingen made blades for use around the world. When I was an apprentice, we had quite a number of swords of this type, but still complete and original.
I think perhaps ca.1850, but perhaps a little earlier.

 

IOW, someone had a good time making this into something at least decorative. Speaking as a reuser of broken pieces I heartily approve.