Sword handle identification

[djknife13]

Do any of you know what this was, above being a handle to what used to be a sword. Is it Asian, English, Masonic, old, etc? I bought it as a curiosity for $35 from an antique shop. It has a very little bit of flexibility to the blade, not like a fillet knife by any means, and seems very well made.____Dave

[btrwtr]

I can see why you bought it as a curiosity. Interesting that it does have some flex to it so not as heavy as most swords would be. Is there any evidence that it may have had a D guard that was removed?

[djknife13]

There is an odd little cut out that doesn't appear to be heavy enough to have had a D guard attached to it, but I can't imagine what else it would be there for.____Dave

[Dinadan]

Do any of you know what this was, above being a handle to what used to be a sword. Is it Asian, English, Masonic, old, etc? I bought it as a curiosity for $35 from an antique shop. It has a very little bit of flexibility to the blade, not like a fillet knife by any means, and seems very well made.____Dave

At first glance I thought it was a cut down sword with the D guard removed. But ... most swords with a handle like that were sabers with a blade that would have been more narrow and thick than the remaining blade. Maybe a custom butcher knife?

If it is a cut down sword, perhaps that cut out in the pommel was for attaching a tassel.

[djknife13]

no one would make a butcher knife with so many places for meat to get stuck, nor would they go to that much detail work on a butcher knife handle. It has to be some type of sword or saber cut down. I think the wood is walnut and the grooves in it are well done and the blade appears to have been etched at one time but there isn't enough left to make anything out. My best guess now is that it's a civil war era sword with the D guard and cage cut off to make it a usable knife.____Dave