Original 18th Century Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont M1833 Albertina Type Saber Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is an incredible saber! This saber originated from the Kingdom of Sardinia, a state in Southern Europe from the early 14th until the mid-19th century. The sword is nearly identical to the 1833 Model Sword ‘Albertina’, but does not have the integrated finger loop. This is a sword for the advanced edged weapons collector!

Italy, after Napoleon’s final defeat in 1815, was a divided peninsula. A variety of states existed within its geography—some independent and some with prominent French, Austrian or Papal influences. A unified Italy would eventually arrive in 1861 but it would need the Kingdom of Sardinia and its Savoyard kings to provide the impulsion, with many setbacks, sacrifices and desperate battles along the way. Upon unification, the Kingdom of Sardinia’s regulation weaponry was used as a blueprint for the arming of the newly born Royal Italian Army and so understanding the Sardinian swords of the 1800s provides an important foundation of knowledge for the collector. Perhaps the most iconic of the Sardinian models that were in use during this turbulent period was the Model 1833 Infantry Officers’ Sword, and most likely this sword as well.

Nicknamed the Albertina in honor of King Carlo Alberto I, this was one of the four regulation swords newly introduced on the 25th of June, 1833. The sword’s hilt is easily recognisable, and was made from gilded brass or bronze (and sometimes plated with silver). It has a prominent quillon in the form of a tapering cylinder that sweeps across a boat-shell guard before curling around to join with a spherical pommel.
As for decorations, Albertinas were almost as profusely embellished as their owner’s wealth allowed, and this was especially true for the men of greater rank. Generously blued and gilded blades, frost-etching, dedications and mottos, and ornate hilt devices abounded. This blade does have faint etching still visible and appears to be the sardinian crest as well as a motto on the opposite side.

The massive 39 ½” blade is in good condition for the age but it does show areas of moderate staining and pitting. We cannot make out any manufacturer’s information on the ricasso, but from the etching on the blade it is without a doubt of early Italian origin.

This is a sword deserving of a new home and is an ideal candidate for research purposes. Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 34 1/2″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 45 1/4“
Guard dimensions: 5 1/2″ width x 4 1/2” length