Denmark-Norway M1701 Sword – Universal Swords

This Denmark-Norway M1701 Infantry Sword has a blade forged from 1055 high carbon steel; the hilt is blackened steel and the wooden grip is tightly wound in braided brass wire surmounted by brass ferrules. The blade is securely mounted into the hilt with a peened pommel. The companion scabbard is made from wood with a fitted wrap of leather; a blackened steel chape, locket and hanger complete the scabbard.

An early standard pattern sword, the M1701 was mass-produced for soldiers of the Denmark-Norway Union; the first 1701 order for them required the importation of 12,000 German-made Solingen blades which were often mounted into iron hilts which were painted black for rust resistance. A long-lived fighting blade, the M1701 was in use as late as 1778. In the early 19th century many of the old 1701 swords were cut down and shortened for use as naval hangers.