A friend of mine picked up a USMC dress sword. He does not have a computer, email or a digital camera, but he described it to me over the phone. It is marked Hilborn Hamburger Vitalon on the hilt and the blade is marked Germany and Made in Solingen. Also marked USMC SN 323. I thought maybe there was a time frame for SOlingen blades and maybe the other markings would date it as well. He is hoping it is Vietnam War era as that is his interest. ANy thoughts would be appreciated.

A couple of firms in Solingen still produce military swords. Hilborn-Hamberger is a major supplier of military insignia, and also imported Naval and Marine Corps swords for retail sale in the US.

 

Marine Corps swords are difficult to date without an inscription. Hilborn-Hamberger have been importing swords for retail sale since before the Civil War, and there is no date chronology for their signatures that I'm aware of, so that's no help. Your sword is marked "Germany", which is generally an indicator of a pre-WWII item since post-WWII products are, in general, marked "West Germany". This is not an absolute, however. If your sword is pre-WWII, it should have ivory grip panels and not plastic. Once again, this isn't an absolute; some lower-end swords were sold with white polymer grips before WWII.

 

But, absent an inscription or association with a known individual, it will not be easy to place a precise date on your friend's sword.

 

There is a discussion on another H_H Marine Corps sword here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=16481

A friend of mine picked up a USMC dress sword. He does not have a computer, email or a digital camera, but he described it to me over the phone. It is marked Hilborn Hamburger Vitalon on the hilt and the blade is marked Germany and Made in Solingen. Also marked USMC SN 323. I thought maybe there was a time frame for SOlingen blades and maybe the other markings would date it as well. He is hoping it is Vietnam War era as that is his interest. ANy thoughts would be appreciated.

 

 

If you do a Google search for "USMC" "sword" "323" the ID'ed ones that show up are from Vietnam-era Lt's and Captains.

Hilborn-Hamberger is a major supplier of military insignia, and also imported Naval and Marine Corps swords for retail sale in the US.

 

Marine Corps swords are difficult to date without an inscription. Hilborn-Hamberger have been importing swords for retail sale since before the Civil War...

True, H&H as sold many until their demise a few years back, however, H&H did not come into existence until the 1920's.

 

F.S. is correct, this sword is in the post 50's era, private purchase, and used by the Officer throughout his entire career.

True, H&H as sold many until their demise a few years back, however, H&H did not come into existence until the 1920's.

 

Bezdek Vol. I shows them in business during the Civil War.

Bezdek Vol. I shows them in business during the Civil War.

I can not remember where, but I remember reading about them providing uniform accessories back to around the mid 1860's. :think:

Reviving this old thread in the hopes of gleaning more information on my sword. I am also interested in dating a USMC officer sword. My sword is also a H&H with the company logo with "Stainless" above and "Made in Soligen Germany" below. After removing the grips I noticed "Rostfrei" on the tang which is the German for Stainless Steel I think. Interesiting also is the fact that the brass hilt is stamped "6" on the inside, as are the grips -- maybe a size? The back strap is marked "USMC Serial No. 325" not "323" so why the difference in serial number? Mine is named to "Joseph W. O'Byrne" so maybe that would help date it, but I cant find anything on line about him.

 

If anyone can provide info on O'Byrne or help date the sword it would be appreciated.

Reviving this old thread in the hopes of gleaning more information on my sword. I am also interested in dating a USMC officer sword. My sword is also a H&H with the company logo with "Stainless" above and "Made in Soligen Germany" below. After removing the grips I noticed "Rostfrei" on the tang which is the German for Stainless Steel I think. Interesiting also is the fact that the brass hilt is stamped "6" on the inside, as are the grips -- maybe a size? The back strap is marked "USMC Serial No. 325" not "323" so why the difference in serial number? Mine is named to "Joseph W. O'Byrne" so maybe that would help date it, but I cant find anything on line about him.

 

If anyone can provide info on O'Byrne or help date the sword it would be appreciated.

 

Old eyes, small writing... sorry, mine is a 323 also, not 325.