How to Determine the Condition of Collectible Military Swords

Posted by Dupree on 1/5/2014 to Military Swords
How to Determine the Condition of Collectible Military Swords
Many people who are interested in collecting military swords wonder how they can determine the condition of a sword accurately. This is not surprising because most collectors use the condition of a sword to determine its value and visual appeal. 

Here are some tips that can help you determine the condition of collectible military swords that can help you determine the general condition of most military swords quickly.

Examine the Sword for Signs of Excessive Cleaning:
Some military swords that are sold to collectors show signs of excessive cleaning that are visually unappealing. Some of these signs include the following:
  • Unusually shiny blade surfaces that appear on the sword's blade and fuller.
  • An unsightly gray color that is nearly impossible to remove.
  • Blade and point surfaces that appear grainy to the unaided eye.

It is a good idea to avoid military swords that have these problems because most collectors prefer to collect swords that have their original surface and color. 

Examine the Sword's Blade, Point and Fuller for Signs of Corrosion:
The easiest way to examine these sword parts for corrosion is to use a 10-power magnifying glass to search for small brown or black spots that are clustered together on the surface of the sword's blade, point and fuller. It is a good idea to search for these brown and black corrosion sports because it can help you avoid purchasing swords that are visually unappealing and unfit for display. 

Examine the Sword's Hand Grips for Signs of Wear: 
Many military swords that are available to collectors feature hand grips that show signs of wear on their surfaces and edges. This is not surprising because many military swords were carried by hand by soldiers who participated in battles and ceremonies.

The easiest way to examine a sword's grip for signs of wear is to look for flat spots and discoloration on the hand guard's surface. Other signs of wear on a sword's grip include cracks and missing points.

Finally, Examine the Sword's Blade and Point for Signs of Wear:
Most swords feature blades and points that are susceptible to wear around their edges and on their surfaces. This is especially true if the sword's blades and points were gilded or featured designs on their surfaces. 

The easiest way to search for this wear is to search for discoloration around the surface of the blade and points. Most of this discoloration will look like dull spots on the sword's surfaces.