Antique Saber/Military Sword. Identification?

So, my girlfriend's dad purchased an old sword today, with the intent to clean it up and sell it. After checking it out and taking some pics, I'm pretty sure it's a real antique and not a replica, but I'm not 100% certain, nor am I a good enough judge to know what exact period it's from, or which branch of the military might have used it. At two feet, eleven inches, I feel it's not long enough to be a cavalry saber, but otherwise I'm at a loss. Can anybody help me out here?

 

Hi and WELCOME to ANTIQUERS, @True Edge!! There are several others who are better versed in judging this than I am so I'll give them a shout out, but I personally don't think I'm seeing professional and straight enough edges along it, and it looks like it's been rusted intentionally....but that's just to ME!! @springfld.arsenal !! Others will be along, so be patient!!

 

Noted, and thank you for the rapid response! I should also point out that the blade feels like it's been sharpened at one time, and has a lot of very faint, trace nicks and dings in it, and, as you might can tell from the pics, the guard appears to have been bent back into shape at some point. I know, NONE of that means that it was a real, functioning military sword, but it's something that occurred to me I should add.

 

The more information you provide when you post, the more helpful it is when others get on board, so that's great!!

 

I'm not seeing an authentic used military item.
are there any marks on the blade...or the guard ?
A genuine blade would have several stamp marks on it.

 

I'm getting Indian, probably 1980s; the guard doesn't "smell" old.

 

neither does the screw top pommel !!!

 

I've seen that before too, on said Indian-made sword.

 

ignore the NRA sign.......

https://www.gunauction.com/buy/pictures.cfm?i=12664379

 

this is what you wanna see.....
and below....what yours is fashioned after....



when looking for a real weapon, look for a blade that was made to cut...and kill!

 

Thank you! That is . . . literally the exact same sword. And, yes, I know how to spot a real sword, just not an antique one very well.

On that note, though, would anyone know a good way to clean all the rust off of it? What would be the best way to do so without damaging the blade?

 

And, yes, I know how to spot a real sword, just not an antique one very well.

That may be , but you're not the only one here, who's going to read this and benefit from the information & the discussion .
Those of us with helpful knowledge try to be clear and point things out for everyone who comes along to learn here.
It's a community thing.

It is not that hard to clean rust off a sword, though it takes a fair amount of time and good old fashioned 'elbow grease'.

Start with 220 grit wet and dry sandpaper
Refine the polish with 440 grit and finish with 1000
With each grit, you must not sand in circles but in one direction - then change the direction for the next grit so you can see what you have done previously

This is just one method....

 

. . . Fair enough, didn't think of it like that, so, my apologies. Thank you for the information! And for helping us to figure out what we had! Thanks, as well, to everyone else that commented!

 

I'm glad I ... we...could be of help !

we don't always bat %100....... but we try !

 

Naval jelly for steel. Not sandpaper.

 

Don't know a thing about the sword, but I fancy that curry in the background. One of the things I miss here in France.

 

Haha! My gf is from England, so she has that pretty frequently.

 

Yes, we're in a long distance relationship. I'm in the U.S., and she lives in the U.K.

 

I have seen almost identical items made in India for display items or wall hangers.